Mohammed’s story

When you’ve walked from Khartoum to Calais, through Iran and Turkey and most of Europe, Stockton seems a very small place.

I’ve been here three months now. It’s OK. I have my own house now, I share it with four friends from Africa, Afghan and Iran. It is better then the hotel in some ways as I have my own space, but in the hotel I had lots of Syrian friends and we would sit and talk so much about everything and nothing at all! I do miss that.

I left Syria when I was 19 and I am now 29. It has taken me 10 years to get here.

I am very scared about my interview. The residency issue always confuses my mind and the thoughts that I may be deported are never far away. I’ve already been deported once, from Lebanon, I don’t want it to happen again. I can’t go through that again.

I like to read. It takes my mind off all my problems and I can escape. I have only been learning English for 6 months, so it is still difficult, especially as there are no Arabic books in Stockton library. They said they cannot get me any either, so I am trying my best to learn English very fast! I do read on my phone but I have problems with my eyes, so I really like books better.

One of my favourite authors is Agatha Christie. I know her books are old, but her mind is so big and she is so clever. I never know who did it!

I remember my mum reading stories to me a long time ago in Syria. That is a nice memory. I liked to write stories too, I still do. I have written about my journey to France. I hope to get it translated one day and then you can read it too.

When my residency issue is sorted out, I want to study media, I would like to be a political journalist and continue writing and finding out about the world.

I have many friends from Care4Calais, it is the best organisation in the world! They supported me when I needed them and now I want to give something back and volunteer with them in Stockton.

– Mohammed

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