Help Baher starts his life in the UK

My name is Baher. I am 19 years old and I am from Syria. I fled from the war in Syria at the age of 12. I was orphaned in Syria after my parents were killed when I was 10, by the Assad regime. I lost my parents to war, lost my brother - lost many relatives and beloved ones. At age 17 I was given a full scholarship to boarding school in Wales which got me to safety and changed my life.

Thanks to help from Save the Children, my boarding school UWC Atlantic, my lawyer Vinita and my UK support network Helle and Helena, in April 2021 I have been given the chance to start my new life in the UK and been granted refugee status by the UK government! I never felt more belonged to a place than here. At 16 I got on a plane for the first time in my life to come to the UK, it was like seeing the world for the first time. Greenness everywhere, clean streets and kind people. I tried to make my accent sound British and I learnt all the funny expressions people say here, because I wanted to feel that I am a part of this country.

I hold offers to study Politics at Bristol University and King's College London in September 2021. I am asking for your help to start my new life after I just graduated from school and embark on the next stage of my education at university. I need help to buy clothes, study books and a laptop to make the most out of my exciting opportunity to go to university. I also need somewhere to live during the summer holiday after my time at boarding school has ended, before University begins in September 2021.

Please donate anything you can and if you can’t please share my story. If I raise more than I need, I will donate the rest to charities that support refugees.

Thank you for reading this and for giving me your time. I really appreciate it.

I was interviewed by a few British newspapers interested in my story. Here are the links for these articles if you’re interested.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/syria-refugee-uk-lebanon-orphan-school-boarding-education-a9090801.html

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/syrian-orphaned-by-war-lands-place-at-top-school-cbzhxd32x

MY STORY

My name is Baher. I am 19 years old and I am from Syria. It was a long and hard way for me until I made it to this country. I suddenly found myself without parents, or a home.

At 10 years old I lost both my parents to the war, a year later my brother who’d cared for me in their absence was killed. I suddenly found myself alone, with no one to take care of me.

I travelled to Lebanon, in search of safety from the killing, and the shrieking of bombs shattering the sky. But Lebanon itself wasn’t easy. I have had to live on my own since I was 15. I faced discrimination at school because I was Syrian, worked 3 jobs to provide for myself, and I didn’t have the typical teenage life. I was painting houses, waiting tables and teaching Syrian children in refugee camps to make ends meet. But I kept working hard on my studies, and ranked 22nd in Lebanon in the official national exams.

I was lucky to get help from Save the Children Lebanon, and that changed my life. In 2018 I received a visit from the Save the Children CEO Helle Thorning-Schmidt. She recommended I apply to an international boarding school in Wales with a mission to change the world for the better.

When the school UWC Atlantic offered me a full scholarship to study in South Wales, I was the HAPPIEST person on this planet! I got awarded a new life, a life far from a warzone. I got on a plane for the first time in my life to come to the UK, it was like seeing the world for the first time. Greenness everywhere, clean streets and kind people, I almost felt like I flew to heaven, not to the UK. I felt that I am finally in a place where I could actually achieve something, be heard and feel wanted.

Two years ago, I arrived with just the clothes in my bag. I was grateful for making it to a safe place. I never felt more belonged to a place than here. I tried to make my accent sound British and I learnt all the funny expressions people say here, because I wanted to feel that I am a part of this country.

I felt safe here and claimed asylum and called this place my home. After waiting, last month I was granted refugee status, allowing me to stay here for five more years. I am incredibly grateful for this chance and am embracing it in every way possible.

Since arriving here, I have volunteered with numerous charities supporting newly welcomed refugees including Oasis and STAR in Cardiff. I acted as a translator and helped teach English to ease the transition to the UK. I realise how hard it was for many people to come here being clueless about this country and unable to speak its language. That was one of the many reasons why I have worked so hard to support other refugees in any way possible.

WHY I NEED YOUR HELP

After living at my boarding school for two years, it is time to graduate and move on to the next step of my life. I will begin my independent life as part of the British society. But I need your help to start my new life here.

In September I will begin my university studies, and start the next chapter of my life. I need help with preparing for my university studies, buying enough clothes, a new laptop, books and other study essentials. This summer I’ll be getting a job to feed myself and pay for my rent, but won’t have enough money for the additional costs that come with university.

Please donate anything you can and if you can’t please share my story. Thank you for reading this and for giving me your time.