I was born in a village near Idlib. Ours was a large family: seven brothers and
four sisters. We had a large house with a courtyard and a garden. What I

loved most were the evenings when we would all gather around a single table. That feeling of being exactly where you belong still holds me.

I left because I had no choice, for war does not ask for permission. I left my
parents behind and set out. I feared not just for myself, but also that I would
not be able to help if something were to happen to them. But I carried my
memories with me; they are my shield.

The first Bulgarian word I learned was добър (good). To me, it sounds like
a promise. When I arrived, I knew nothing about Bulgaria. But I continue to
learn, always. My children give me courage; they are my path. I want them
to have a good life, to grow and to smile free from fear.

I am different now, stronger than I was. I have learned to break through uncertainty with a belief that good things await us. To me, home is not a place;

it is the people you love. I love Sofia, and for me, it is more than just a place
on a map. I have started a new chapter for myself and my children. Our home
is here, and here we can dare to dream.