MEET OMAR

Just like every people in the world, Syrians only wanted to live a peaceful life. But the war wrecked our lives and plans. Before that, I was living with my wife and our two young children in a rented house. I was also renting a shop, and I was working as a blacksmith. I had a full set of equipment, and my work was enough to provide for my family’s needs.

But soon after the war broke out, our neighborhood became unsafe. First, my shop was robbed, and all my equipment was taken. Because of that, I couldn’t work anymore. As our area became increasingly dangerous, we left our appartement and everything in it and fled. We moved with relatives who lived in safe areas for two years, and as soon as we were able to, we returned to our area and the apartment we had been renting. Thank God, it hadn’t been robbed so our furniture was still here.

But I had lost all my work equipment. I did the best I could to get some new equipment, and I started working again, but work remained scarce for several years. I was always worried I would not be able to pay our rent or to provide enough for my family. My biggest fear was always our health, because I had a meniscus tear that was taking a lot of time to heal, and my wife suffered from irritable bowel syndrome and a disc disease, and we were constantly on medication, which was very expensive.

Three years ago, we were three months late in paying the rent for the shop, and the owner was putting increasing pressure on us. I had nothing, so I was about to sell my working equipment to pay off my debt. It was the only solution, although I knew it would only lead to more problems. Suddenly, the shelter rehabilitation team from the church called me and asked about my prices and told me about the project and that they needed a blacksmith. I started crying with joy and relief, because I had young children, and we wanted to live. I did not want to get rich, and I did not want to buy cars, I just wanted to live and for my family to live.

It turned out the team’s coordinator had seen me working and liked my work. I got to know him, and he started communicating with me and asking me for quotes. They selected me and I have been working with them since, year after year. As a blacksmith I mainly help with doors and windows and iron protection.

Through this job I have been able to pay off all my debts, and to provide for my family’s basic needs, thank God! The shelter rehabilitation project gave me a new motivation to continue working. Now my family and I are happy, and we have more hope in the future, especially since every piece of iron or work is done with love, and everyone who sees this job starts asking about me. This means that by word of mouth, I will become more well-known and get more work. The team’s appreciation of my work and renewed trust is, in itself, a testimony that I am proud of and that is enough for me.

The coordinator and all the team members are exceptional people. In my life, I have never met people who work with such love. Working with them is a pleasure. First, because even though I am a simple worker, they treat me with nothing but respect. But also because it is a beautiful and blessed work that being able to help fix the houses of vulnerable families who have suffered a lot from the war. It brings me joy to know my job contributes to changing their lives and make them happy and comfortable again.