In Syria, I was a teacher. I worked with kids for 30 years and had the best days of my life with children in Syria. But when I first arrived in Türkiye, I felt exhausted. War does that to a person.

I am Shaza. I have been a housewife since I came to Türkiye. In 2015, my husband told people around him in Istanbul, “My wife is restless because she is confined at home, she is a teacher and she cannot cope with this life.” And these people referred me to the Human Resource Development Foundation (HRDF). That’s when I took control of my life once again.

I first came to the Foundation to learn Turkish, which I did. I attended the women’s solidarity workshop and learned how to better assist and help other Syrian women.

With other Syrian beneficiaries, we learned about Turkish laws.

The HRDF gave me my confidence and strength back. The solidarity of other women also empowered me. I no longer felt as weak and helpless as I felt when I first came to Türkiye. I feel that I have the ability and strength to support my Syrian friends.

In the workshop we also made friends with people from Türkiye and grew fond of each other. We achieved social cohesion among ourselves, despite all the discrimination online and in the streets. During the activities, I learned that our hosts do like us and are not that different from us.

We love each other. I partake in the happiness and joy and also the sorrow of people in Türkiye, on good days and bad ones alike. I do know that they care for me and share my feelings. This shows that we share a common affection. People are all guests on this planet. Everyone will die, so the best way to live is to seek peace and live in peace wherever we are.

https://youtu.be/b6UzJh-VnDE?feature=shared