by: Mahmoud, an Afghan refugee in Belgium
I am looking at my family right now and it is like I am in a dream, but it is real, I can’t believe it. This person in America gave me the tickets to be with my family, he doesn’t even know me. He is so kind.
Thank you for your humanitarian aid towards those who desperately need it.
I believe that humans come across many challenges in their lives, but only those succeed who can endure it and do not surrender to it, no matter how bad it gets.
Everything I had in Afghanistan, I used to appreciate. I had a good life. I made a choice to help and work with the Americans against the Taliban. But because of this, the enemies of humanity had vanished everything from me and my family. They took away our future and left us with no hope.
I received a phone call and a man told me that because of my work I had to pay him an enormous sum of money. Three days later when I had not paid, my father was killed.
So I had two choices:
To live but give up everything else
Or get my rights but pay a high price for it, including death.
So for me, my life and my family life was more important than anything else and therefore I managed to arrive in Belgium despite many life threatening problems.
I missed the birth of my son along the journey.
Over here because of more migration and asylum seekers I had to wait 20 months until I got positive response from the Belgian government. Shortly after, I applied to get my family visas to bring them in.
To work here in Belgium, I first need to learn the language and basic employment laws. For the moment I am depending on the financial help of the government, because I haven’t found a job yet.
When we received a positive decision for the visa, I faced more economic problems. I had to buy airplane tickets for my family and a return ticket to Pakistan for myself to bring them in. I did seek help from government and non-government funded associations and charity organizations but none of them could help me.
Eventually I managed to get in touch with Miles4Migrants who helped me beyond my imagination!! I am very thankful to them and Ryan, the donor, and appreciate all their help.
Finally, I understand that there are many asylum seekers seeking refuge here but I also understand that there are luckily many people who are willing to help them.
Regards,
“Mahmoud”