The story of Abou

“In Romania I feel safe, people respect me, and I am not discriminated against.“

Abou
Student and worker,
Romania.
Originally from Syria

Life was not a gentle one for Abou. And after all, what could be easy when in a few years everything around you turned to ashes? The civil war in Syria took from Abou Ghanem Saif the places where he grew up, friends and acquaintances and at one point was about to take his life too.

Engaged in the fights that ruined the ancient Arab country, Abou was wounded by four bullets that knocked him unconscious for a long time. But his fighting spirit and the strength of his body helped him fully recover. He had been given a second chance and Abou was determined not to miss it.

He wanted to start from scratch to create a new life in a safer place. And if for many his friends this new place means a country in Western Europe, Abou came to Romania.
“In Romania I feel safe, people respect me, and I am not discriminated against”. He confessed to us. Even if the standard of living is not as high as in western countries, it matters a lot that he has found a place to build a future.
Abou Ghanem Saif now lives in Craiova where he completes his studies and has a job that allows him to support himself.

Moreover, he has time for hobbies, something he couldn’t even think of when he was living in Syria. He trains daily for mixed martial arts competitions and his friends say he is one of the best.

“I was impressed by the way the Romanians have welcome me among them. I have friends with whom we go out to spend our free time and most of them are Romanians. I like that they are open and loyal”.
“I miss my family, my friends but I do not regret at all that I chose to come to Romania”, Abou finally confessed to us.