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<thread> Four years ago, I went to #Greece to work on a short documentary on the #refugee crisis. I was prepared for many things physically, but I wasn’t prepared to gain a family. Today I want to tell you their story, and why countries should open their doors to refugees 1/x
I first met 6 yr old Menwar when I joined filmmaker & friend Ida Theresa Myklebost to work on her film “Unwelcome” & we found ourselves in a makeshift refugee camp near the Greece-Macedonia border. My laptop was locked; he banged on some keys, unlocked it & stole my heart 2/x
When I took this photo of Menwar, he & his family had been in Greece for over a year after their house in #Aleppo was destroyed in the war and they made the treacherous journey by sea to #Europe. By that time, in mid-2016, Europe was closing its doors. They were in limbo. 3/x
You can watch the trailer to Unwelcome here, it will give you a sense of what life was like for this sweet little boy and his family. As we filmed, he would ask us, why isn’t anyone helping us? Why won’t they let us in? They wanted to go to #Germany. 4/x https://www.facebook.com/unwelcomedoc/videos/1748093775518633?vh=e&d=n&sfns=mo
How could we answer? We tried to explain the “complications”, the politics, the refugee fatigue but nothing that little kid heard could make him understand why, after his home was bombed in a war he didn’t choose, he was living in the parking lot of a Greek gas station 5/x
We eventually finished shooting and left (LOTS of tears). We tried to stay in touch but they moved around so much we eventually lost contact. Then one day, last year, I heard that Menwar & his family made it to Germany:) 6/x
Fast forward 3 days ago, I’m preparing for a trip to Berlin and lo and behold: I get a text from Menwar’s dad! They are in Germany and I can see them
So we planned to meet after I finished work. I took a train two hours and they met me at the station. I couldn’t believe. 7/x
So we planned to meet after I finished work. I took a train two hours and they met me at the station. I couldn’t believe. 7/x
It was as if I just saw them yesterday, only they had grown so much! Gone were the sad, confused kids in that dirty tent in a parking lot on the side of the road. They were speaking English, they were teaching me German words, Menwar was playing football—it was amazing 8/x
8/x
Over delicious Syrian food cooked by Menwar’s mom, we caught up, laughed, hugged and couldn’t stop smiling. The oldest, Hussein, is top of his class and learning a fourth language (!), the kids are thriving, the dad is learning German and wants to open a restaurant. 9/x
The whole time I was with them I wondered, what would have happened if they hadn’t made it to Germany? If they had been sent back to #Turkey & then #Syria. If they had remained in a camp. Who would they be? What would have happened to their potential? 11/x
Shaimaa says “hallo!” to anyone she passes on the street; some ppl smile and respond, some don’t and walk past. I wondered if it hurts her when they don’t and I wonder if her life in Germany will be easy, or if she will always be a “refugee.” 12/x
Menwar and his family are the lucky ones. They made it. They have a chance. But it was only because #Germany let them in, and let them stay. They have a second chance at life. Germany will benefit from having them. For other countries who’ve closed their borders, take note. 13/x
The refugee crisis ( #Syria + others) today is a global challenge created by multiple factors/actors &, as such, necessities a global response. This is our collective responsibility. Every country must play its part. Do not leave these kids behind. They deserve better. 14/x <end>
