The Refugees and Their Stories
HAMBER AL ISSA FROM SYRIA
Hamber was a surgeon in Damascus. He left his homeland - for reasions that he declines to discuss. He hopes he'll be able to go back one day. In fact, he'd like to return as quickly as possible - and start his own medical center.
MACEDONIA
Hamber travelled to Germany via the "Balkan Route." After he arrived in Macedonia, he continued on foot to the Serbian border. Every time he reached a town or city, he'd let his family know where he was, via the internet. Hamber's parents are quite worried for his safety.
CROATIA
Hamber wanted to travel by train from Croatia to Hungary - but it took him two days to finally get a place.
ARRIVAL IN GERMANY
Hamber is not yet able to work as a doctor in Germany - but he's working to get the proper qualifications. In the meantime, he's working as a translator in a medical facility.
TOBA SHIRMOHAMMADI FROM AFGHANISTAN
Toba is 16 years old. She fled from the city of Herat. There have been attacks on school-girls there, because some people don't want them to get an education. But Toba wants to study, and plans to take courses that will prepare her for college.
TOBA AND HER FAMILY
Toba travelled to Germany with her two sisters and their husbands. Their journey took them through Iran, Turkey, Greece, and the Balkan region.
WAITING TO TRAVEL FURTHER
Toba and her family had to wait in a refugee reception center in Macedonia before they could continue their journey to Serbia.
TOBA SHIRMOHAMMADI
Toba hopes to study in Germany - but first, she has to learn the language. Her goal is to be able to live on her own.
AHMED ALWAN, HEBA ALWAN AND SALEH ZEER FROM SYRIA
Ahmed (center), his wife Heba, and his friend Saleh had to leave their homes in Syria. Ahmed worked as a journalist for several Arabic-language broadcasters. Heba was an architect. Saleh had just about finished his undergraduate work in engineering when he left Syria.
IDLIB, SYRIA
Ahmed, Heba, and Saleh come from the city of Idlib, in northwestern Syria. The city has been bombed heavily. After Islamist fighters took over Idlib, it became extremely difficult for journalists to do their jobs. Some of the militants even threatened Ahmed - and that's when he, Heba, and Saleh decided to leave.
JANA ALWAN
Ahmed and Heba brought their one-year-old daughter Jana with them.
ON THE WAY TO GERMANY
Like many other refugees, they travelled over the "Balkan Route" to Germany. They want to return to Syria as soon as things there improve. Ahmed wants to work again as a journalist. Saleh wants to finish his engineering studies. Heba wants to use her architectural skills to help rebuild her country.