Refugee Story

My husband is raising our three daughters and our son in a camp in Greece without me.

We have had war in Afghanistan since before I was born

I am a lonely woman with two children.

Because I am almost fourteen and the oldest son, I am responsible for our family.

It was hard to be gay in my country. You can’t live as a [free] man.

I wanted to stay in Africa, but I wanted my life to be secure, so I came to Europe.

The first day I came to Italy, I had a friend, an Italian friend.

Our life was very good. We were very comfortable and happy.

I don’t want my children to live in war.

I graduated with a degree in journalism and joined the Afghan police force.

When I was old enough, I was forced to marry the head of our region.

We decided to leave and sold everything we had; there is no way back.

It gives me a bad feeling … that I am safe and my friends are still in trouble.

That’s why we came here—so they would not take him away from me.

We can’t go back. It is not safe for women there.

We left Iran because we are Afghans.

My father and brother made it to Sweden; my mother and I are trapped in Greece.

I hope I can find a good life and that I can continue in my profession.

ISIS began invading our village on the first day of the revolution.

The journey is very, very risky. Many people died — a lot.