Numerous human stories. Many of them are sad, however there are always some bright and optimistic ones about strong people who struggled but managed to accomplish their aims and pursuit their dream. Basel’s story is a bright one that starts from Turkey and ends up in one SolidarityNow accommodation structures in Athens, where Basel lives temporarily until he leaves for Portugal.
“I left Syria in February 2016 to flee away from the war. I spent three months in Turkey, but it was too difficult there for me; I didn’t have enough money to travel to Greece. Thus, me and my three friends made the decision; we would reach Greece by the sea. We started the preparations so as to be able to swim and reach Kastellorizo island, that we had seen it was the nearest Greek island to Turkey; we bought flippers and armbands and we developed the plan.
After fifteen hours on the bus, we arrived in Kaş, Turkey, exhausted; soon we reached the place where we could move across. We climbed the mountain with our food and swimming equipment trying to hide ourselves from the police. Once darkness fell, we have been prepared and we fell into the sea without clothes – each one of us had only a waterproof case with our documents, mobile and lighters. We decided to swim in pairs. The first kilometer was easy, but the friend who was with me got tired and we were in the middle of the sea; I told him that he could either continue or swim back, since I knew that I wouldn’t go back for any reason. He swam back to Turkey and I continued swimming alone. My problems started at the second kilometer. My bones were aching, it was cold and my legs were like sticks, I could not use them. I could hear the other two friends of mine swimming, but I could not see them. I kept on swimming only with my hands, looking at the strobe light and my mind was filled with memories, in two hours I reached the shore. It was so cold! I opened the waterproof case and the lighters were getting water; we were trembling. After half an hour, our lighters worked, we took the armbands and lit fire!
We were looking for volunteers or the police to help us. We waited four hours around the fire, but we were happy, we called our beloved ones to tell them we are safe! Suddenly, we saw a boat, we shouted, and they replied in English, Turkish and Greek. We did not know if they were Turkish and wanted to take us back. But gladly, they were Greeks and they showed us the Greek flag. An hour later we were at the town of the island, sleeping in the sleeping bags they provided us with; we could hardly feel our bodies.
The Red Cross supported our transportation to Rhodes island. Our next stop was Idomeni, were we tried to cross the border but finally we turned back to Greece. I remained in Idomeni until the end, until it was evacuated. I spent some time in other camps, before my arrival at the SolidarityNow accommodation structure in Athens. After some time, I got informed about my relocation; I will start a new life in Portugal and now I expect the news for the exact date of departure”.
For those who have dived deep and reached the opposite shore, everything is a journey towards a place that will allow them to build their future. We wish Basel to find safety and peace and build his own new life as he has dreamt it!
*The Hosting Scheme Project Home for Hope is implemented by SolidarityNow with the support of UNHCR GREECE and EU funding.