Hot Press meets Syrian refugees from Homs in the Lebanon

Memo to self: sort out sock collection when back in Dublin.
I’ve just done the polite thing of removing my shoes before entering the Tripoli apartment where a Syrian refugee mens’ meeting is taking place and, well, I’ve made a holey show of myself. Not only are both of my big toes peeping out, but the socks supposed to contain them are different colours.
Conducted by a Concern staffer, it’s a weekly chance for the 20-strong group, most of whom are from the bombed out city of Homs, to hone their communication skills and address any anger issues arising from their limbo land refugee status in the Lebanon where, even if officially registered, they’re not allowed to work.
Their families and them are living in two damp-riddled and vermin-infested tower blocks that would have been condemned and pulled down if they were in Ireland.
A friendly gentleman called Mayzar, who was an olive farmer back home, hands me a cup of industrial grade Arab coffee and does his best to translate what’s going on.
“I came here today for some peace and quiet,” he laughs, referring to the seven girls and three boys who are back in the three rooms he’s paying $400 a month for. Before fleeing Homs they were renting a whole house for under a hundred bucks, and it didn’t have rats eating from the bins. Knowing how desperate Mayzar and his friends are for accommodation, landlords have been thinking of a number and doubling it.
There’s lots of animated talking, clapping, laughing and role playing during the hour-long session which Mayzar says is, “One of the things that keeps me going. I’m very proud and to live like this…”
His voice trails off as he tries to find the right words.
“… makes me feel like less of a man. I’m grateful to Concern and the people in Ireland for caring about us.”
Asked where he'd like to be, he immediately answers: "Only Syria. Hopefully God will allow us to go back when that bad man, Assad, has gone."
Wanting to remain in his own country, Mayzar moved his family four times within Syria before the situation got so bad that he had no option but to cross the border.
He doesn’t know who U2 are, but beams when I explain to him that the biggest band in the world have a five minute video showing the devastation wrought on Homs in their current show.
“That makes my heart feel good,” he says. “For our stories to be known is very important. Please say to people in Ireland, ‘Happy Christmas and good health!’”
Message relayed, Mayzar!

Read Stuart Clark’s other Lebanon blogs at

[link]www.hotpress.com/Lebanon/politics/frontlines/Hot-Press-visits-the-frontline-between-pro-and-antiAssad-factions-in-Lebanon/15887952.html[/link]

[link]www.hotpress.com/Lebanon/news/iHot-Pressi-visits-Syrian-refugees-in-border-settlements/15837969.html[/link]

[link]www.hotpress.com/Lebanon/politics/frontlines/Hot-Press-arrives-in-Lebanon-on-its-Syrian-refugee-fact-finding-mission/15837445.html
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[link]www.hotpress.com/Lebanon/news/Hot-Press-to-visit-Syrian-refugees-in-the-Lebanon/15835479.html[/link]