Paperjam.lu

Aws is a civil engineer originally from Baghdad. Photo: Mike Zenari 

Delano (along with its sister publication Paperjam and publisher Maison Moderne) has partnered with Iamnotarefugee.lu, a project run by Frédérique Buck and Sven Becker, to give a voice to asylum seekers in Luxembourg. Here is an extract from Aws’s interview:

Our top priority was and still is to find a job

When we first arrived in Luxembourg, we didn’t know what to do or where to start to find work. We just waited in the camp trying to obtain more information about how to start a living in Luxembourg. Our top priority was and still is to find a job. I tried very hard to find work but it was difficult because I didn’t know what to do, who to contact or where to go to find out about work opportunities. Then I heard about ASTI and its project Connection. I found Zina Menhal, one of the coordinators, on Facebook and wrote to her to find out more.

I got kidnapped from my work on the 12th of December 2006

By some kind of militia. A civil war was and still  is raging in Baghdad. There are a lot of militias. It is very confusing. My driver gor shot in front of me as he didn’t want to get out of the car. I still have the scar from a bullet. They broke my teeth. For three days the only thing they asked me is if I am Sunni or Shia. They didn’t know my name, otherwise they would have killed me. I couldn’t answer. I had no way to find out if they were Sunni or Shia.

To me work is life and now I’m dead

I asked for the international protection status for me and my family 15 months ago. I got the last interview 3 months ago. And now I’m waiting. It’s an ugly feeling not to know the decision. Also, I can’t really work until I get my papers. The refugee status recognition process is very long. To me it feels like a waste of time. Earning my life is essential to me. I need to earn money to offer my kids a good life here. Now, what I can offer them is very restricted.

I try to use this time as best as I can as I cannot work as long as I am an asylum seeker. I’m waiting all day long. The only good thing with waiting for the status is we have much time. I am very serious about learning French.

I’m a very active person: I play football, basketball, ping pong and also… computer games!

Luxembourg is a great place. All the nationalities and cultures live together without discrimination. I am thankful that my children will be educated here.

I take integration very seriously. I am working hard to learn the languages. I want to show that I am a valuable man and citizen. I wish to meet residents and make new connections and friends.

Get to know more about Aws by reading his complete interview on Iamnotarefugee.lu