Awad’s Story, Jordan
Awad is 78 years old. Until the civil war and its brutality reached his home town of Al Mazerab, he had never considered leaving his country.
Photo by UNHCR/S. Rich/2013.
Married with two wives, five sons, too many daughters, grandchildren and great grandchildren to count, Awad was a successful farmer growing peas and tomatoes and harvesting olives. Today, Awad lives in the small makeshift settlement with his wives Tirfeh and Rasmeyah, and his large extended family. The family fled Syria in April 2012 with only the clothes they were wearing and a prayer mat salvaged from the rubble of their home. The memories of their country tarnished by fear, terrible destruction and the death of a son, Awad and his wives are grieving for a lost nation and people.
“We had to flee – it was a warzone and they were targeting everyone, not just soldiers, and we feared for our lives, the lives of the children. In the end there was nothing left – no food or drink and all of the houses were destroyed. And my son…. This tent isn’t a home. In Syria our home was so beautiful – two bedroom, beautiful garden, my olive trees. Our life used to be so happy. Now our beautiful country has changed drastically and we have changed with it. I just hope for peace so that we can go home.”
Text by K. McFadden/2013.
