Ghassan -

Ghassan

Ghassan has been with us now for almost two years. At home, he was a policeman. There, Ghassan once had a future. His life, and everyone else's, too, was well ordered and safe. Life was the same as everywhere else. Good friends, family, and peace. And the future? Possibly a life with the police. But, where? Ghassan's English is perfect. The world is his oyster!

Hamid

PontiNova

Hamid

Friendliness and warmth are the things that Hamid remembers when he thinks back to home. Guests were never treated with mistrust or suspicion. Everyone who came was made very warmly welcome. Guests are guests in the land where Hamid grew up in.

Billeen and Kehlo

 Billeen and Kehlo Werin - The Sugar Festival

Billen and Kehlo are sisters. Billeen is 10 and Kehlo is 8. They come from Damascus and have been living in Vienna for just over two very short years. Both attend regular Viennese schools and are happy in Vienna. But, there is one thing they miss when thinking of home. The Sugar Festival. This takes place at the end of the summer holidays and involves every child in Damascus. Simply put, it's the day that is specially for children. Dressed in their very best clothes, the children go knocking on doors, and, because they're expected, everyone has small bags of sweets ready and waiting. No child leaves empty handed.

And, the Sugar Festival is a family occasion as well. The whole family joins in with the making and baking of homemade sweets for this special occasion. And, as every child from Damascus will happily tell you, the preparation is just as much fun as the knocking on doors. And, then, of course, there's the eating. And, this takes a very long time. At least, two or three weeks. And, this is all part of the fun.

The Sugar Festival marks the end of the summer and the start of a new year at school. And, what a sweet way to do it. The Sugar Festival. Sweet memories of home for Billen and Kehlo.

Henry - It's fish pie that reminds him of home!

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Henry – Fish Pie to Feel Happy

When Henry thinks back to home, it's the fish pie he thinks of the most. His mother's fish pie was always the best. And, very special days were, of course, fish pie days. When Henry won his first chess competition, it was fish pie that was served. And, when his sister got married, fish pie was the number one dish on the menu. And, of course, every time Henry passes a fish shop, he's reminded of home.

Henry – Fish Pie to Feel Happy

Sara - Dancing - Family and Friends and Teaching

Sara

Sara comes from Iran. At home, her life was dancing, family, and teaching English. Things she still very much misses. And, Sara often thinks of her family and friends. Of course, Sara has Skype, but it's different. No familiar smells of her mother's good cooking. But, it's the friendliness of the people she misses the most. People, where she comes from, are all very friendly. 

Jsarzem - The Man from Iraq With a Long Way to Go -

Jsarzem – The World is his Future

Jsarzem comes from Iraq and he's been in Vienna for 3 very fast years. And, when Jsarzem thinks back to home, it's the mountains he thinks of the most. Climbing and hiking. And, that's not all. Jsarzem was – and still is – a very keen chess player. In fact, Jsarzem has won many competitions and is set to win more, Chess is a game that connects, and friends can be found all over the world. And, Jsarzem could never sit still. Cycling, football, fishing, and friends were all part of his life and are still very important.

But, at the top of Jsarzem's thoughts are his brothers and sisters and his mother and father. Family is family wherever one is.

Jsarzem's a man of this world, and he has a long way to go. The man from Iraq – the world is his future.

Moshan- The Colours of Life

 Moshan – The Colours of Life

Moshan comes from Esvar in Iran and he's been in Vienna for 2 very short years. And, Moshan's life in Iran was the colour of action. All kinds of sports. And, his favourite pastimes were jogging and football. And, football meant friends; and Moshan had many.

And, colour is Moshan's future as well. The comfortable colours of very good feelings. Moshan is going into the business of carpets. And, very good carpets are things that everyone loves.

Moshan comes from Esvar in Iran. And, the German he's learning has become a very big part of his life. New friends and new contacts. New colours in life.

Moshan - The Colours of Life

Hussein - Going Where Life Takes Him -

 Hussein

Hussein is a boy from Baghdad. He's from a very big family. 6 brothers and 6 sisters. And, Baghdad life, despite all the hardships, used to be fun. Family Sundays with wonderful meals, swimming, cycling, and Computer games, too and very short nights. And, of course, lots of fun friends. Hussein – a boy from Baghdad who is going where life takes him.

Alaa

PontiNova – Alaa

Alaa grew up in Baghdad. Now he's living in Vienna. And, Baghdad Sundays were special for him. Sundays were family. Chicken soup and rice. His parents, his five brothers and sisters, and, of course, on occasions, his grandparents as well. The magic of family. Peace, good fun and family music together. And, Alaa and his friends loved football as well. A match every day after school. Alaa's heart is still in Baghdad. Baghdad is still home. Family and friends. And, the future? Who knows!

Behruz

Behruz

Silver and Gold and the Fun that has Gone

It's been two years since Behruz left his native Iran. In his hometown of Bandar-Anzali, Behruz was a member of the local swimming club. And, he was good. His greatest achievements were gold and silver medals in national competitions. And now, here in Vienna, Behruz goes swimming as often as he can. But, things are different. It's his friends. They are now scattered all over the world. The fun in the pool and the being with friends are now things of a time that has gone.

When Behruz thinks back to Bandar-Anzali, it's his friends that he thinks of the most. Life is now a long way from home.

Billeen and Kehlo

 Billeen and Kehlo Werin - The Sugar Festival

Billen and Kehlo are sisters. Billeen is 10 and Kehlo is 8. They come from Damascus and have been living in Vienna for just over two very short years. Both attend regular Viennese schools and are happy in Vienna. But, there is one thing they miss when thinking of home. The Sugar Festival. This takes place at the end of the summer holidays and involves every child in Damascus. Simply put, it's the day that is specially for children. Dressed in their very best clothes, the children go knocking on doors, and, because they're expected, everyone has small bags of sweets ready and waiting. No child leaves empty handed.

And, the Sugar Festival is a family occasion as well. The whole family joins in with the making and baking of homemade sweets for this special occasion. And, as every child from Damascus will happily tell you, the preparation is just as much fun as the knocking on doors. And, then, of course, there's the eating. And, this takes a very long time. At least, two or three weeks. And, this is all part of the fun.

The Sugar Festival marks the end of the summer and the start of a new year at school. And, what a sweet way to do it. The Sugar Festival. Sweet memories of home for Billen and Kehlo.