SHERWAN

Sherwan's story is like so many others. Born in Iraq twenty years ago, Sherwan does not remember the day his father was taken away and forced to join the army. He does remember only seeing his father twice a year, the only time that his father was permitted to return to his home and see his wife and children.

His father was in the army for nine years before he decided that he could no longer remain in Sadam Hussain's army. He left.

In 1991 his father returned home, thereafter followed several years when Sadam Hussain's army would come to raid and plunder the village in which they lived. During these times the whole village would run. They would run anywhere, into neighbouring villages and as far as Iran.

They ran because, they are Kurdish.

They would return several months later in the hope that they would find the army gone.

In the early part of 1999, they didn't run fast enough, Sherwan's father was shot and killed.

It was a month later that they shot at Sherwan, fortunately they missed.

Sherwan's mother urged him to leave and so one night he left with twenty-eight others.

They made their way initially by car and then horseback and walking, always at night, until they reached Turkey.

They knew that Turkey would offer them no haven, they only had temporary fifteen-day passports and if caught they would be returned to Iraq. The group scattered, splintering into smaller groups, leaving each one to make their own way.

Sherwan found a Turkish sympathiser, for the sum of $6,000.00 he arranged transport for Sherwan to leave the Country.

Climbing into the back of lorry, Sherwan had no idea where he was destined to get out.

He arrived in England in June 1999.

Today Sherwan is still waiting for his decision. Although he is not one to wait around. Upon being given permission to work, Sherwan secured a position as an assistant chef. In September he will continue to work on a part-time basis, to support himself, whilst he enters college.

He is quite clearly distraught that he may never see his mother again.

This Page was last updated: Wednesday, February 26, 2003 at 7:21:11 PM
This page was originally posted: 26/2/03; 2:28:55 pm.
Copyright 2004 Thanet Refugee Access