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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2017/nov/21/refugee-children-escaped-war-syria-now-free-to-dream
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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| I escaped war in Syria and am now free to dream – but other kids aren't so lucky | I escaped war in Syria and am now free to dream – but other kids aren't so lucky |
| (about 1 month later) | |
| I am Bilal and I am from Syria. I have been here one year. When I came to the UK I couldn’t speak English and it was very important to connect with people. | I am Bilal and I am from Syria. I have been here one year. When I came to the UK I couldn’t speak English and it was very important to connect with people. |
| On our journey from Syria we went into Turkey illegally with no passport. It was very dangerous because we didn’t know where we were going and on the way there were four mountains. Many families lost their children in this way. Children walk more quickly than adults and sometimes the Turkish army would catch the parents or the children separately and people would get lost. My family were very lucky – my mother, father and two brothers – that we all stayed together. I knew nobody in Turkey but we had to leave Syria. | On our journey from Syria we went into Turkey illegally with no passport. It was very dangerous because we didn’t know where we were going and on the way there were four mountains. Many families lost their children in this way. Children walk more quickly than adults and sometimes the Turkish army would catch the parents or the children separately and people would get lost. My family were very lucky – my mother, father and two brothers – that we all stayed together. I knew nobody in Turkey but we had to leave Syria. |
| By luck we registered with the UN and after one month they said the UK had chosen our file, and we came here the legal way. Now I am at school and my home is here. | By luck we registered with the UN and after one month they said the UK had chosen our file, and we came here the legal way. Now I am at school and my home is here. |
| I noticed that one of the most important things for a child is learning and planning for the future, but the children in countries where there is war have no dreams and hopes, and can only think about life and safety. | I noticed that one of the most important things for a child is learning and planning for the future, but the children in countries where there is war have no dreams and hopes, and can only think about life and safety. |
| The important thing in this life for children is to give them safety to invent and think about the future. | The important thing in this life for children is to give them safety to invent and think about the future. |
| I remember in the last few days before I left my country I had no dreams of the future but when I reached a safe place my dreams began to grow and grow. | I remember in the last few days before I left my country I had no dreams of the future but when I reached a safe place my dreams began to grow and grow. |
| The migration route was long and hard, but my great dream is that peace prevails and children enjoy a decent life. | The migration route was long and hard, but my great dream is that peace prevails and children enjoy a decent life. |
| When we arrived [in the UK] we thought we were in a good state – but when we think about the future we know that maybe we cannot reach our dreams because there are many problems. | When we arrived [in the UK] we thought we were in a good state – but when we think about the future we know that maybe we cannot reach our dreams because there are many problems. |
| I am lucky, I am more lucky I think than a lot of children who try to find a safe place – a place of peace. | I am lucky, I am more lucky I think than a lot of children who try to find a safe place – a place of peace. |
| Because of the personal and sensitive nature of this piece, comments will be pre-moderated | Because of the personal and sensitive nature of this piece, comments will be pre-moderated |
| Conflict and development | Conflict and development |
| Migration and development | Migration and development |
| Syria | Syria |
| Children | Children |
| Refugees | Refugees |
| Middle East and North Africa | Middle East and North Africa |
| comment | comment |
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