My name is Mouayyan Habbab, I am 29 years old and come from Syria, Damascus, from a place called Midan. I was born there, in a small house with three rooms. We lived there. I, my four siblings, my grandparents, my uncle, my aunt and my parents, all of us in this little house. Until the seventh grade, I shared a room with my siblings. My family comes from the middle class, from the ninth grade I worked next to my school to support my family. I passed my Abitur in 2007, after which I studied civil engineering at an institute. After three years I received my certificate. At this point a very happy life began for me, because now I had something in my hand.
I actually wanted to leave Syria because I didn’t see enough chances there to live a dignified life. In Syria you always need contacts to important people and I did not have them. I applied for a visa for Canada, but unfortunately I didn’t get it, I had to stay. I worked in an office for civil engineering. I became part of a big team, I was happy to apply what I had learned, the work was great fun for me. I could use my knowledge. Not five months passed and the revolution in Syria began. I had to leave my work because the office was out of business and bankrupt. People didn’t build any more, we also lost our job and I lost my job. Although I lost it, I was behind the revolution.
My military duty was pending, I paid a sum to postpone it. At that time people were killed by the military and I did not want to kill anyone. Because of poverty and unemployment, I started selling things on the street to feed myself and my family. I did that for two years. The postponement to military duty had passed in the meantime and I did not have enough money to buy myself free again, I had to hide. I did not leave my place of residence for a year and a half. If they had caught me, I would have been locked up and then sent into the military. I worked in a supermarket next to the apartment, I lived in fear that they would catch me but I had no other choice, we had to live from something. By the work I could save myself some money together, I postponed the military obligation and procured myself a passport around to flee. On 02.05.2015 I arrived in Turkey. For the first time I left my family, not only that, I left and none of us knew if I would ever return.
The road to Turkey cost me a lot, I lost a lot of people, friends and family between 2012 and 2015. The regime took with it many of whom I still don’t know if they are still alive or dead. In Turkey I worked as a furniture remover in a furniture company, I worked there for seven months, every day more than 14 hours. All this to be able to go to Europe and send money to my family. It’s like this, me and my two older siblings, we have always been responsible for my family and also in Turkey, I had to work not only for myself and my escape, but also so that my family can live.
20.10.2015 I heard that the way to Europe had become more affordable. Then I decided to flee to Europe. On 25.10.2015 at 21 o’clock in the evening began my escape, from Turkey to Europe. The way lasted 12 days. I arrived on 06.11.2015 in Germany, at a place called Overath. I cannot describe my feeling, it was autumn beginning in Germany and the place where I arrived was very beautiful. I felt that for the first time I was arriving at a place where I would feel comfortable. The people in Overath welcomed us in such a beautiful way, they waited for us and gave us the feeling to like us. I never forget that. After four weeks we were unfortunately sent to Aachen. In Overath I already learned German through YouTube videos, I wanted to learn the language so much and I had space and peace for it. In Aachen we were 20 people in one room, mattresses side by side. I could no longer learn there. I stayed there for a year, got the stay and later went back to Overath.
I attended and passed language courses in Germany, up to the B2 course. At the moment I am doing a DSH preparation course to study civil engineering at the TH in Deutz. In Syria I always wanted to become an engineer, but my grades were not enough, in Germany I have the possibility to study engineering. My wish is to become an engineer. I would like to work here, in the country that offered me so much. I don’t have a problem with taxes, I got a lot of opportunities here. That’s why I would like to give something back. I would like to get married and start a family. Telling my story gives me the feeling that I could share something of what happened with the world, because I think that the governments of other countries are doing the Syrian people wrong. Although the people of Syria only wanted justice and dignity for Syria, they did not want any more. Unfortunately, however, they were exploited for their own personal interests.
Storyteller’s name: Mouayyan Habbab
Interviewer’s name: Sarah El Desoke
Country of origin: Syria
Sex: m
Age: 29