Ahmad Al-Rashid

*homeless

The good thing is that they still believe that Santa is real and he comes down the chimney - only those who have been good to their parents get presents - this makes a huge difference and gives their mom and myself lots of leverage

In 2015 - I was on the verge of becoming a homeless. Then I was hosted by a wonderful couple who were among the founding members of @RefugeesAtHome for almost 5 months. That experience was a life-changing one. Met tens of incredible people who later on became great friendshttps://twitter.com/rescue_uk/status/1209495207282122754…

Heartbreaking https://twitter.com/icrc/status/1209086069192433665…

The magic of football Sports overall and football in particular can turn things around and the the impossible/possible the unthinkable/thinkable A basic and simple language that captures the minds and hearts of millions and millions of people #sports #RefugeeForumhttps://twitter.com/kevinrcoleman/status/1207055424178003968…

Be kind, we all have our struggles and difficulties in life.. a small act of kindness can change the life of a person for good... One kind act a day isn’t too much Wishing you a lovely day and May your days and lives be filled with love and kindness #WorldKindnessDay2019

Never underestimate the power of kindness... no act of kindness is small.. it’s these small acts that makes the whole picture.. if there is no small there is no full picture

Since then, we have been living in peace and we are all now thriving. These are small acts of kindness that make a huge and lasting positive impact on our lives

When my family arrived from Syria I didn’t have a place for them. Again, kindness of strangers meant that within 24 hours I managed to find a flat, people donated furniture and landlord didn’t take a penny. He said you pay me back when you can

Later on, I was fortunate because I was offered scholarship to do my Masters at the University of London. Again, this was also made possible by the kind help and support from my friends and organizations that supported me finish my masters.

It was through them that I got to meet another family that invited me for my ever my first ever Christmas lunch which had Sunday Roast and at the end I had Christmas pudding! That was quite an experience! A cake that was set on fire and I was asked to eat it! Imagine that

My time with the family was a great experience. I got to meet other Jewish friends through them and they I alsogot to celebrate Hanukkah or the first time ever. Kindness breakers barriers, builds bridges and makes the impossible possible

Then I was hosted by one of the world one of these families which had Jewish background this was one of the most interesting experiences I’ve ever had. The fear and hatred towards them that I was brigjt up with was turned into something different... appreciation, love and respect

Growing up in a region where Jews were seen as the enemy and we were brought up with the idea that they are the enemies and we need to be very careful of them. This idea was out in my mind ever day as I grow up. I never met a Jew in my home country

A few months later, I was faced with homeless afterI received my refugee status but didn’t know much about this country. I then was offered a place to live with an English family and one of them was from Jewish background.This was one of the biggest things that I have experienced

Coming from a region where police brutality was prevalent, I was met by a couple of police officers who were very kind when they arrested me they told me that they were doing their job and that I shouldn’t be afraid of them. They offered me food, water & asked if I need a doctor

From Many Iraqis&Kurdish friends to numerous friends and people that I made in the UK since 2015 The first act of kindness was offered to me was by a police officer after I got out of the lorry and I was traumatized but also overjoyed that I survived it #WorldKindnessDay2019

On World’s kindness day, I was met so much kindness since I was forced to leave my home country, Syria. Lots of strangers helped and supported me along the way. The journey has been shaped by endless small acts of kindness that helped make life bearable #WorldKindnessDay2019

I also spoke to a friend who is a father of 3 kids in NE Syria who told me no to worry as it’s only fireworks... He was making fun of me ,which I understand,I felt quite sad when this came from someone who was living under shelling and bombardment and was forced to leave his home

A friend has written this to me “My father was a very young child in London the Second World War, I vividly remember him struggling to take us to Bonfire night events because he would be reliving as you describe. I am sorry tonight is such a physical reminder for you.”

Again, this is something that I get to experience once every year since I came to the UK... I hope time will heal this and I eventually get sense of normalcy... luckily it’s only fireworks... not actual bombs and shells coming from everywhere including the sky

I wish I could join people to have fun and enjoy the night... but it’s difficult to do so... I wish everyone celebrating it a safe and enjoyable evening and that they get back to their homes safe and intact

What I am left with after this is images of things that I witnessed in Syria of Iraq.. dead people, mass graves... blood and destruction...

While waiting for a train, some random young man and women told me to enjoy this evening.. I thanked them and said I will do... they seemed to enjoy it... I didn’t... their experiences of these sounds is of fun and joy... mine is of killing and horror

I normally have my headphones with me to avoid hearing these loud sounds... it’s a horrifying experience... one of the scars of the war in Syria that I fear it will never get healed...

This evening I was walking down streets in London I’m my way to the place where I sleep. Every minute or so I would hear an loud sound of fireworks. I look around and check if it’s an air strike or bomb

Bonfire night is an extremely difficult night for me. The sounds of fire works reminds me of the bombings and shelling back in Aleppo, Syria before I had to flee there. I know of some kids who can’t sleep that night because of that. Parents play music loud so kid don’t hear it

“Kids”

A horrifying read of what people in NE Syria have witnessed since the beginning of the operationhttps://twitter.com/amberinzaman/status/1190953754075553793…

This was one of the most informative and thought-provoking panels I have been to #refugees #migrat #migrantshttps://twitter.com/ODIdev/status/1190278271587561472…