Hussein’s story

He is a poised, calm, and deep man who chooses his words wisely and does not speak more than necessary. Almost two years after his arrival to Belgium he became a recognized refugee and tried to rebuild his life in Enghien.

“I didn’t want to live without papers, that’s why I came to Europe. I want to live safely with my family. I have not experienced this feeling of safety for years. But today, I want to be a father everyday day above all else.”

“My son is 20 years old. He is a man plus a child, but he does not speak English. So if it is difficult for me, how will he do here? I’m afraid, I fear for him, for the changes he will have to face. I think I am more open, more open minded than my son because I have already traveled. How is he going to adapt here?” This question troubles Hussein; and also, not knowing if family reunification will soon be granted to is family or not.

“I fled Iraq on August 10th, 2015 by plane to Turkey. I had enormous problems in Iraq- militiamen had shot me. In Turkey, I was hoping to find a job and start a new life and one day have my family join me. In Iraq, my family says that I’m dead. It’s for their own safety so the militia won’t harass them to find out where I am. As a result, I have very little contact with them. I have four children, two boys and two girls, the oldest is 20 and the youngest is 3. I miss them.”

“From Turkey, I finally decided to join Europe. It was not my idea at first but I did not receive papers in Turkey and I did not want to live illegally. Someone helped me reach Greece by boat. At the time, I couldn’t walk well because of the bullet wound. From the Greek coast, I went to Athens, then Macedonia and Serbia by foot with my crutch. Between Macedonia and Serbia, we sometimes traveled by train but there was never anything: no place to sleep, no toilet, no food. A man of the Church helped me one day, he gave me water and food. I was tired, my leg hurt but I knew myself – If I stop then I will not get back up again, I thought to myself at the time. So, I kept walking, without the other refugees. I passed. I continued on to Austria until I finally arrived in Belgium.” 

“During the trip, for 22 days, I did not meet any European citizen. Only police officers, refugees or people who asked me to pay, who were extorting money from me – money that I didn’t even have. Along the way, because of these ‘encounters’, I started to hate Europe. It’s the same shit, I thought.”

“In Belgium, I was welcomed by Caritas International. I met Belgian citizens who were kind people. Today, I no longer hate Europe.” Hussein grinned while saying this. He never seems discouraged even if he says several times that his life is “gray gray gray.” “I have papers, I’m learning French. I do not yet  have much contact with people here but my boss – who is also my neighbor – is very friendly and understanding.”

“My family is Sunni. ‘Hussein’ is very a special name in our culture. Hussein is the grandson of the prophet Mohamed. The name is a sign of good omens.” Let’s cross our fingers!