Story:

I am from northern Iraq, Kurdistan, and I’ve been living in Greece for 23 years. This is a gift from my daughter. I had travelled to my country and when I arrived back here I opened my bag and found this along with some letters in our own language that I have hung on the fridge. My daughter still lives in Kurdistan, along with my wife and son. I have left my kids there. Because of my work, I don’t go there often: two times a year at most. I pray to God for something to change in the procedures so that I can legally bring them close to me, to reconnect. This is like a breath of fresh air, I keep it on my bed. I have a soft spot for my daughter. 

When I came here in 2000, it wasn’t a great time. When I left my country, I lost the connections that I had through work, so now, whatever job I look for, I have no connections. I’ve been in Greece for a long time and I’m lost here. Even if I want to go back, the conditions are no longer good for me there. I prefer to stay here, for me, for my kids, and for the future. I think it’s preferable. My daughter is 10 years old, almost 11. She loves stuffed animals and toys.”

– Ahmed Idiak