traveling to raise money for sick refugee children
My Travel Story
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Seeking asylum has always been a part of human history. From ancient times involving the escape of tribes and groups from one land to another, such as the story of the Israelite people's exodus from Egypt, to the contemporary era, where wars and revolutions forced various individuals and groups to migrate to new places. However, contemporary events such as world wars have given other forms and dimensions to the issue of asylum and migration.
Although components such as religious, ethnic, racial, and economic affiliations have always played a role in human movement, the introduction of political elements has given a new meaning to the asylum discourse. In today's world, the right of asylum is called an inalienable and natural right for human beings. According to international law and mainly citing the 1951 Geneva Convention, a refugee is a person who is being persecuted for his religious, ethnic or racial activity and forced to flee his country in order to escape the danger of death. The feeling of insecurity in the country of birth is the main reason for one's migration to continue living in a new country. In recent years the number of asylum seekers has increased, especially in the middle east region, mainly because of the war, political and economic issues. For instance, There Are vast numbers of refugees or asylum seekers under international protection in Turkey from Countries such as Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan. In Iran, the issue of asylum, for example, is a lifetime matter of the Islamic Republic's regime. Its corrupt policies have led many Iranians to leave the country and reside in another country.
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Many refugees are families who have been forced to leave the country and are now staying in Turkey. The complicated laws and regulations of the Turkish government have made the refugee situation more difficult every day. One of the significant issues for asylum seekers is the financial problems that they face due to the lack of a right to work. The only way to earn a living is to work illegally, as many Turkish employers are well aware of the problem; thus, they mistreat and exploit their workers. Issues such as paying rent, providing daily necessities, and medical expenses are among the most critical problems for asylum seekers.
After months of research, thinking, and communication with a human rights activist in Turkey who I will write about her tremendous help later, I decided to initiate a project focusing on medical problems of ill children. Children whose lives are tied up with fear and whose childhood is lost in the complexities of refugee life. Indeed, among these large numbers of refugees, children are the most vulnerable, especially those writhing with an agony of illness every day. They have taken this dangerous path, not on their own choice but because of their parents' circumstances. They are now living in a world that has no resemblance to the world of cartoons and stories that they watch and read. Perhaps, they ask themselves every day, where is my childhood?
Surely, Sweet childhood dreams and childhood simplicity will never come back. In this series of photos, videos, and written stories, I will accompany the sick children and their families, and I will merely record, document, and transcribe what they say. They speak of their life and the story of coming to Turkey. They talk about the hardships of migration, financial and linguistic problems, sexual and racial discrimination, and living in a foreign environment and its effects on life and their thoughts.
They share their experiences. Experiences they have encountered while fleeing their country and settling in a new country. They say their dreams, hopes, and goals. These stories reflect the individual sense of hardship as well as the bitter and sweet memories of asylum days.
Their bitter and sweet stories are just a shadow of the problems that need to be understood.
The language barrier and limited time and money have pushed me to mainly focus on one of the many refugee groups living in Turkey. In the next two months, I will be accompanying Iranian asylum seekers, who will speak from the hopeless horizons of trying to survive and reach a place to live. I hope everyone reads these stories with an open-minded, respectful, and compassionate understanding and assists me along the way in helping these children and their families.
The next step is to provide awareness for responsible organizations to provide sponsorship for some of the children whose lives are in serious danger and need immediate help. They need to be transported to a better country for their treatment.
I conclude my talk with a quote from Rumi, and I see no need for further explanation:
The world is a mountain, in which your words echoed back to you.
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Campaign Ended
$ 0 CAD
Total Donation Received-
0%
Funded -
$ 3,000 CAD
Goal Amount -
0
Days Left
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Cost Calculator
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Accommodation
$ 1,000
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Application/ Deposit Fee
$ 1,500
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Local Travel Expenses
$ 500
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