“I had two cell phones because I was trying to take pictures of the war and help the revolution. For this reason, they arrested me. The soldiers in Syria asked us to get off the bus and stand in a line. I thought I was done. When they arrest someone in Syria, they’re gone. They disappear. 

“[But] God sent me someone – an officer. He asked another officer ‘Who is this – what’s the problem with her?’ Then he told me to come close to him. When we were far away from the others, he said ‘Do you see that bridge? Cross it, take a car, and go home.’

“After a few days, I was in Lebanon. I didn’t know who (the officer) was. He gave me his phone number and told me that if something happened to me, I should call him. My father called him later and thanked him because he helped me escape. I didn't hear anything about him after that. I can’t contact him now because he’s a Sheriff. They might arrest him. It’s dangerous to talk to him.

“During the war, there was no feeling happy or safe – just confused, worried. When the war started, it was like things changed in just a moment. Soldiers broke down doors and arrested people. They arrested and killed people. They were taking all young men under 40 years old. My father and uncle changed all of our documents. They made all of us over 40.

“Most of the young men in the area I was living in disappeared. I have five brothers. One was killed. The rest were arrested. 

“I was in Syria for around three or four years, and I escaped to Lebanon for three. I didn’t want to go and leave my family. I remember I left my stuff on my table in my room. I thought ‘I’ll be gone for one month then I’ll be back.’ Now, it’s been eight years.

“One time, I was working in Lebanon and it was raining hard. I didn’t carry an umbrella. I told them that in Syria, I used to walk under guns and explosions. [So,] the rain was good.

“Life in Lebanon was very difficult. They were not very welcoming. If a Lebanese person and a Syrian person worked the same job, the Lebanese worker would get $1000, while the Syrian would only get $100. We were treated very badly. After three years, the UN helped my sister, my niece, and I come to Canada. 

“My sister got married at the start of the Syrian war. She was studying in university and was living in Lebanon. When I went to her, they were divorced. Her daughter was a few months old [and] now she’s thirteen years old. She worked hard to raise her daughter alone. Her ex-husband used to threaten to take her daughter to ISIS, because he’s from the city that they’re from. He didn’t want to get divorced so he always threatened to take their daughter. She got help, and he was forced to separate from her. 

“I hope to see my family again. I need to see my father. He found out he had cancer a year and a half ago. Treatment is difficult to get in Syria. The situation is hard – there’s no food, no gas, nothing. The effects of the war are greater than the war itself. 80 per cent of the houses have been destroyed.

“Since my sister was a single mom, she got BC Housing. I wasn’t allowed to stay with her. I don’t know if this is true, but she was told that it was best for her daughter if we lived separately – because of my depression. This hurt me a lot. 

“I was living in New Westminster until I was told that they sold my house. I was asked to move out in a few months. I was very worried, scared, and confused. I needed to find a place to live. I went to UGM and they brought me to Grace Mansion. They accepted me as a resident after only a few days – it was a pleasant surprise. In the beginning of my move here, I was also a little bit scared and confused, especially because I was dealing with the depression and anxiety that I developed in Syria during the war. To be honest, when I first came here, I was rude. It was a huge transition for me. Most people [at Grace Mansion] struggled with addiction. I never used [drugs or alcohol]. That confused me  – could I stay here? 

“But the people here treat me like family. The staff knows all of our birthdays, and on them, they give us signed birthday cards. They gave me hope and made me feel safe. They [also] helped me get my citizenship. I did the exam for them – they encouraged and supported me. 

“Suddenly my mind changed. I wanted to stay at Grace Mansion.”

This story is part of Hey Stranger’s partnership with The Salvation Army Belkin House.