I am Omar Mohammad, 24 years old, from Qamishli, Syria.

By vocation, I am an interior designer; my purpose is to create harmony and
coziness. War is the very antithesis of that. It strips away all choice, leaving
only one: survival. And so, I had to leave behind everything I had ever known
— family, friends, home.

For five days, I walked, traveling mostly by night to stay hidden. It was cold,
and I was terrified. I remember falling, injuring myself, but I had no option
but to press on. I arrived in Bulgaria alone and utterly exhausted. I expected
no help, yet it was given to me. Strangers welcomed me with kindness and
offered a hand when I needed it the most. I have been here for two years

now. Missing my family has taught me the most difficult thing of all — to de-
pend on myself and myself alone. It did not crush me; instead, it made me

stronger.

The most precious things I carry are my memories. They are my connection
to my roots. But I draw strength from the present — from my own growth
and my refusal to surrender. I know my life carries on. And along this path,
however arduous, it is hope that leads me.