a discussion with Eleni Stamatoukou
“I don’t feel like a foreigner in Tilos”
“What we’re experiencing now, here, in the accommodation structure we are hosted in Tilos, is like a dream coming true. I feel stronger than before. Compared to other people who came from the same place as me, I feel as though I’m in the best position. I have most of my family here with me, and I was the first to find a job. I live a normal life”.
Kousay is always polite, even though his smiles are somewhat restrained. “Do you need something? I’m glad to help!”; this was the first thing the 25-year-old Kousay told us upon agreeing to talk to us.
The long trip to Greece, away from the war, begins in Daraa, in Syria, whereas he has been in the hosting structure of Tilos the past nine months. Three months ago, he was fortunate enough to be able to welcome his mother and his younger brother to the island. For the past few months, he has been working at the only bakery on the island. We ask him whether he has learned any Greek. “I know how to say good morning, goodnight, and a few words relevant to my job, like bread, dough, flour. I attend Greek lessons at the structure’s school, but I have difficulties concentrating during the lessons. My employer talks to me in Greek so I can learn. The truth is, I prioritized English. This year, I was able to get my certification at a B2 level in English”. Before the war, Kousay worked as an air-conditioner technician. He’s a high school graduate, and he has attended the first year of classes at a University of Economics.
In the middle of our conversation, he suddenly excused himself, as he told us he had to run home. He then appeared with a plate of ejjeh in hand, which he offered to us. Ejjeh is a traditional Syrian dish which consists of greens, eggs, flour, parsley, and a bit of mint. “My mom made this for you. When we lived in Syria we often couldn’t find bread, so we made it like this. In Syria, we have Arabic pita instead of bread. My wife doesn’t know how to make it so I used to make it. Here in Tilos, I cook sometimes, in my free time”.
“I haven’t had any difficulties with work. People who see me in the bakery come to congratulate me. I don’t feel like a foreigner in Tilos. Like most, my biggest challenge is the language barrier. I thought I’d only be here for a bit, and suddenly I had a job. My relationship with Michael- Tilos’ baker- is really good”.
We ask him if he has a friendly rapport with the rest of the locals as well. “I think friendship takes time, so maybe at some point in the future we’ll achieve that. But I recognize and know all of them, and we always greet each other”.
Kousay Al Damad is a beneficiary of the Hosting Scheme project of SolidarityNow, and he lives at the structure on the island of Tilos.
#ESTIA, the Emergency Support to Integration and Accommodation programme, is implemented by SolidarityNow, supported by UNHCR and funded by ECHO.
Tilos – Community & Integration pilot project
The Refugee Accommodation shelter was created in 2015 by SolidarityNow, in collaboration with the Municipality of Tilos and stood out as an example of a local project through which the local community welcomed the refugees, supporting the smooth integration of those who would remain on the island. The operation of the shelter concerns the provision of accommodation to 50 beneficiaries and has hosted 100 people so far. Watch the BBC tribute to the Tilos program: https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-europe-40586229/the-greek-island-where-syrian-refugees-are-welcome.