About the “100 Refugee Stories” Project,

The “100 Refugee Stories” project was born out of my deep desire to share the untold stories of refugees—stories filled with hope, struggle, and resilience. As someone who has lived through the challenges of displacement, I understand how critical it is to shed light on the experiences that so many refugees endure, often far from the public eye.

Through this project, I aim to give a voice to individuals who have faced unimaginable hardship but have persevered with courage and determination. My goal is to reach readers who care about the refugee experience, to show the humanity behind the numbers, and to spark compassion and understanding

These stories, collected from refugees across different walks of life, are more than just tales of survival—they are testaments to strength, love, and the relentless pursuit of a better life for themselves and their families. I hope that by sharing these stories, we can foster a deeper connection between readers and the global refugee community, highlighting the personal journeys that make up this collective experience.

Writing is my passion, and I believe in the power of words to inspire change. By documenting these stories, I aim not only to raise awareness but also to honor the incredible resilience of refugees worldwide 

Ammar dale bsal 

“Note: Consent and signatures are obtained from the individuals whose stories will be published here.”

100 Asylum Stories Project Story Number (1) Ali .

Ali, a 47-year-old man from Idlib, Syria, is married with five children. Before 2012, Ali lived a life full of luxury and prosperity.

He recalls, “We owned farmland, farms, and properties that provided us with a comfortable life. I was a merchant between Saudi Arabia and Syria, living well with my family.” But everything changed when the war broke out in 2012.

In June 2012, Ali was forced to leave Idlib after witnessing his city turn into a battlefield. Ali narrates: “I saw the Syrian army invade the city with tanks, arresting young men and raping women. I witnessed them shooting at everyone without mercy. I saw the army kill an entire family because they refused to leave their home.”

Faced with such horrifying violence, Ali made the decision to leave, fearing for his life and the safety of his five children. After his brother and cousin were arrested and the village severely damaged, he decided it was time to go. “I saw so much blood that day,” Ali said, “it was terrifying and brutal.”

Saudi Arabia was his first destination, as he had previously worked there before the war. He explains how risky it was to obtain passports for his family, especially after a bombing nearly took his sister’s life. Although she survived the injury, she passed away a year later. After seeking refuge in Saudi Arabia, the government initially welcomed them, providing support and assistance.

However, in 2019, new challenges arose. Saudi laws prevented Ali’s children from pursuing their university education. It was a major disappointment for him, as he wanted his children to have the education he missed out on as a youth.

Ali says: “The new laws felt like a dark cloud over us, I could no longer work or provide healthcare for my family.” As restrictions increased, he began to think of migrating to Europe, hoping for a better future for his children.

In 2023, Ali embarked on a perilous journey to the Netherlands, attempting to cross borders illegally. “I was willing to sacrifice myself,” he says, “to give my children a better life and the education they deserve.”

Ali left Saudi Arabia for Turkey, where he began searching for a smuggler to help him reach Europe. After several failed attempts to cross the Turkish-Bulgarian border, he was arrested and sent back to Turkey multiple times. He faced humiliation, was beaten, and imprisoned for 20 days simply because he was Syrian.

“and as I mentioned before, I endured three days in the forests. Those days were a true nightmare, where I faced attacks from wild animals. I could hear their terrifying sounds in the darkness, making my heart race with fear. One night, after the group I was with split up, everyone left me behind, and I found myself alone in the forest, surrounded by darkness.

Every moment posed a new challenge, and my body was breaking down from exhaustion and hunger. One night, I suffered an injury to my leg while trying to escape a lurking danger, which intensified my feelings of weakness and despair. Yet, despite all this, I clung to the hope of seeing my family again. Their voices echoed in my mind, and the dream of reuniting with them became the light guiding me through the darkness of that terrifying forest.”

Despite all the hardships, Ali never gave up hope. On his fourth attempt, he finally succeeded in crossing the border into Bulgaria. He recounts: “I saw heartbreaking scenes—women, children, and the elderly all walking with us, but everyone shared the same hope for a better future.”

From Bulgaria, Ali continued his journey through Serbia, Hungary, and finally, he reached the Netherlands. He chose the Netherlands because of its reputation for reuniting refugee families. He says: “I heard that the Dutch people are kind and treat refugees without discrimination.”

Upon his arrival in the Netherlands, Ali felt peace for the first time. He says: “I felt proud that I had made it here alive. This journey was for my children, and I hope I can reunite with them soon.”

At the refugee reception center, a sentence written on the wall caught his attention: “Everyone has the right to practice their rituals without discrimination.” Ali says: “Those words gave me a sense of relief and safety.”

Today, Ali lives in a refugee camp in Middelburg, the same camp where I ( live. When I asked him how he feels, he said: “When I arrived at the camp, I was welcomed by the staff—Mohamed, Bilal, and Sana.,,Sana smiled at me, and that smile brought me a great sense of safety and happiness.”  They treated me like family. The camp administration as a whole has been wonderful, providing everything I needed and making me feel at home. I am very grateful to them.” 

Ali adds: “The management of this camp has helped ease so much of the pain I went through on my journey. They made me feel like I belong to a family, and for that, I thank them from the bottom of my heart.”

In the end, Ali expressed his hope to soon reunite with his family and give his children the education and life they deserve. He said: “I miss them terribly, and I dream of the day I can see them live without discrimination or harassment.”

As for integration, Ali says: “I feel like I belong here. Dutch culture is filled with peace and love, and the people are very kind. I’m volunteering and working with the Dutch, and I feel like I’m one of them. I respect them, and they respect me.”

As the writer, Ammar, I am incredibly proud of Ali. He is a strong, wonderful man and an amazing father. Ali is a true hero who sacrificed everything for his children. I hope with all my heart that he reunites with his family and that they live a beautiful life. Ali, you are a hero. You are strong

Ammar dale bsal