I was the seventh sibling to come into this world and my childhood started off pretty rough.
One of the days that we decided to escape my mom and dad thought it wasn't fair anymore
to live in a country conflicted by war between Iran and Iraq and all the other invasions that
occurred. They decided to pack up in a minivan. They brought all the clothing that they can
possibly get. They also brought in dresses and we baked a cake and when we got to the
border we explained to the patrol that it was based on a wedding that we were going to.
This was going to be our uncle's wedding. We would go for the weekend and we would plan
to come back. The border patrol bought into that and at that moment caught in that minivan
there is children and a mom and dad who were fearful for the truth to come out. We weren't
going to a wedding. We were going to start a new adventure to seek out life and liberty.
So at that point we were stuck at the borderline and our story convinced that we were just going
for a wedding and coming back. If they were to find out I would probably not be sitting
here today speaking to you. Jordan was beautiful. The people there treated us with the outmost
respect. There was one family in particular. They were Muslim and they treated their Christian
brother and sister with the respect that we deserved. They gave us a room to stay in.
Even though it was a small room we were all together as a family. They gave us all the
extra clothes that we can get. I remember specifically celebrating my dad's birthday.
At that moment as a child there is so much confusion but at that point something felt
really nice. It felt like we were somewhat safe again. But in my dad's eyes you could
always see anxiety. We were together in Malta for about three and a half years. We stayed
in a beautiful home. My siblings worked. My father worked while my mom took care of us.
We did stick together always. We wouldn't let each other be separated. We even became
close with other Caldean refugees who ended up in Malta with us. Even coming into the
United States we were taken into good schools and we were taught everything that we needed
to know so that way we wouldn't be too unfamiliar with it. My entire life I felt unwanted, unrecognized
and I never felt like I had a place to call my home. And it's hard. Most of the time people
are confused I think with refugees. I believe that some people think refugees are trying
to take away the freedom and liberty of other countries but it's not about that. It's about
the fact that they need a safe haven. Most of these refugees would love to go back to
their country. They didn't have that choice. Fear has come in the way of people. Fear has
taken over the ability to see another human being who is struggling. You might meet someone
who once was a refugee and you might become their family, their friend, their neighbor.
And don't let that opportunity miss out because you might meet some incredible people that
might change your lives.
