In Syria, we were farmers, we grew vegetables and cotton. We lived in a village near Hamah. But when the fighting broke out in the surrounding villages and we no longer felt safe, we came up with the plan to leave for the neighbouring country of Lebanon. 

While I went to live with the children by my in-laws, my husband travelled to Beirut to arrange an apartment for us. Only when he had found one were we able to travel here with the entire family. Our house in the village in Syria is still there, but we have closed it.

To be quite honest, living in Lebanon is not much fun, and we hope to return as soon as possible to our house in Syria. Life here is very difficult, especially financially but also on a social level too. 

This small apartment for example costs us 400 dollars a month, an astronomical figure. That is why my husband spends every day trying to earn some income. Usually he does this by offering his services as a plumber. He then goes to the crossroads at the beginning of our neighbourhood and sits on the stoop while waiting for jobs, along with all sorts of other day workers. Sometimes he gets a job, and sometimes he sits there all day for nothing.

For me too it's difficult here. In Syria I was surrounded by my family and by my cousins. As a housewife I kept the house clean and I often went to visit with other women. But here in the neighbourhood I don't know anyone. I just feel very alone here.’

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