“How much I am looking forward to finishing my academic study furthering high studies, in order to be able to work achieving my ambition in developing my abilities”.
Those are the words which Sara has always repeated to herself while she was drawingin her in her imagination the future during her academic study in Arts faculty- English Department; however, war just broke out after she had graduated, where this ruins every dream she has ever have in her imagination replacing them with depress and grieve which become her permanent feelings in a homeland where humanity is claimed.
“I applied for MA student competition in Aleppo University where I was accepted. However, I was not able to further my studies for living was expensive in Aleppo as my parents were not able to afford my study there. I returned to my city Idlib depressed hoping circumstances will be better so I can continue my study”.
Sara’s situation is similar to the rest of graduates in Syria who are going through one suffering to another. The education facility linked to regime announced for a competition before the city of Idlib was liberated; as usual, who had relations got hired unlike who did not have such relations with officials, where they had to wait for another work opportunities at the doors of governmental facilities and institutions that were notorious for corruption and bribes.
“I was optimistic after liberating my city Idlib from regime forces, soon regime warplanes and helicopters took the vengeance for its loss with barrel bombs and missiles; my father was one of the casualties of these raids. Here our miseries and pains got more tough as my family lost the only breadwinner who used to ease our suffering and grieve arousing in us life is still beautiful”.
Dreams were shattered by bloody devastating war, and bitter reality that reflects its negative impacts on all the Syrians; where earlier work and furthering study besides the social life used to be the main goals, which have turned to be just dreams and illusions since the Syrian revolution; as bread, water and other basic needs become burdens.
Sara’s mother said:” My husband left me a difficult burden.. I can not control myself before my child’s tears when he wakes up in the morning to buy us some bread telling me not to worry cause he had promised his father to be the man of the family taking care of me, his brothers and sisters”.
Despite all the Syrian people is going through regarding the varied kinds of torture including the psychological, physical and living ones; life will and insistence to live in dignity remain strong guaranteeing success, Sara added:” I work now as a translator in a relief organization I have always been so certain Allah will stand by us no matter how oppressing regime works on breaking our will.. we Syrians have strong will, and we will not yield”.
By Samah Alkhaled
Translated by Sabah Najem
Syrian Press Center
