Focolare Movement

Holland & Afghanistan. A story from the refugee camp

Sep 19, 2013

The experience of Gaffar from Afghanistan, as he and his family take refuge in Holland. He did not refuse someone who asked him for what he had.

Gaffar from Afghanistan had to seek asylum in Holland for him and his family. Life in the refugee camp was not easy with one room for the whole family. The children had to play outdoors when they were bored and disturbing to others. Every day Gaffar attempted to invent something new that would keep them busy in a positive way. Gaffar is a journalist and to keep his own mind active, he began translating a book. One day his friend, Frank, brought him a typewriter. To Gaffar it was like touching heaven with his fingertips. Now he could type his translation. Then his roommate exclaimed: “I would like to have one of those too!” Gaffar told him: “Take it; it’s yours.” Later that same day Peter arrived with a computer for Gaffar. It was still working well, and had been given to Peter when the computers at his office were replaced with new ones. “Seeing all the things you are doing for the children, I thought it could be helpful for you in preparing activities for them.” That month the Word of Life that was being lived said: “Give and there will be gifts for you.” (Photo: Afghan refugees leaving their country) Source: Città Nuova online

___

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Subscribe to Newsletter

Thought of the day

Related post

In the same boat: a journey toward peace

In the same boat: a journey toward peace

8 months of navigation, 30 ports, 200 young people. The ship for peace, ‘Bel Espoir’ set sail in March 2025 from Barcelona (Spain) and will continue its voyage until October. Its route will link five shores of the Mediterranean. On board, eight groups of twenty-five young people of various nationalities, cultures and religions that share a common desire to build a better world. They will live together and get to know each other, amid debates and personal experiences, tackling new issues at each stop. Among them are traveling twenty Living Peace ambassadors and other young people from the Focolare Movement. Bertha from Lebanon shares her experience. She is involved in the MediterraNEW project which works for the education of young people, predominately migrants in the Mediterranean.

Argentina: commitment in intercultural dialogue with indigenous peoples

Argentina: commitment in intercultural dialogue with indigenous peoples

Agustin, Patricia and their two children are an Argentinian family. After following a course at Sophia ALC, the Latin-American branch of the university institute that is based in the international little town of Loppiano (Italy), they began to research their roots among the indigenous peoples, and this gave rise to a strong commitment in intercultural dialogue.