Wael's story

Wael came to Denmark in 2013. His parents still live in Aleppo, where they work as doctors. They want to go away, but cannot afford to escape. “I miss my parents. Every single day I fear for their lives. When they do not answer, I am so afraid that something has happened to them”.

Meet Wael (b. 1989) from Aleppo, Syria & Layan (b. 2015) born in Denmark.

In 2010, Wael had served his military duty in Aleppo, but when the war broke out he was once again demanded to join the military. When the military called him in for the third time in 2013, he decided to flee the country. 

Wael had two brothers. His elder brother Abdul went to the military to fill out some documents, but never returned and has now been missing for two years. He left a wife and three children behind. They now live with Wael’s parents in Aleppo. 

Wael’s younger brother, Muhammad, was also called in to serve the military and ended up in jail for six months. His autopsy showed that he died of a heart condition. He died 20 years old.

Wael fled from Syria to Lebanon and then from Lebanon to Turkey. From a coastal area in Turkey, he sailed towards Athens in a boat only six meters long. A boat trip where they sat 44 people in something originally intended for 6-8 people. Afterwards, Wael traveled through Italy and on to Denmark. The boat trip cost around DKK 11.000 and the whole trip from Syria to Denmark cost him approximately DKK 67.000.

Wael came to Denmark in 2013 and got a five-year residence permit. Through family reunification he was united with his wife Fatima one year after his arrival. Since then, they have got their daughter, Layan. 

Fatima’s father Muhammad and brother Basil both died in Syria. The father died at the age of 50 in the beginning of the war and Basil died six months ago, only 19 years old. Both were killed by ISIS.

In Syria, Wael worked as a cameraman with television productions. Today he works with concrete in the company PlBeton. 

The family are happy to live on Bornholm. Wael has work, they have made a family and all the Danes they know are kind to them.

“I miss my parents. Every single day I fear for their lives. When they do not answer, I am so afraid that something has happened to them”.

Wael’s parents still live in Aleppo, where they work as doctors. They want to go away, but cannot afford to escape. 

Photo by Martin Thaulow, Copyright © Refugee.Today/Good people.