Syria's European widows: Basema's story

45 year old Basema lives in Azraq Camp with her two sons. The other two sons and her husband are in Germany and Turkey.

I am very worried about my husband. He went to Europe by sea and it is very dangerous. When he arrived and talked about the journey he said it was very dangerous and there was lots of wind at sea which made water enter the boat. The boat nearly capsized and the captain asked them to throw all their belongings in the sea to stop it capsizing. He was left with only his passport and money. Despite this I still wish we had had the money to go with him at the time as even this is easier than the journey from Syria.

While he was travelling I had no contact with him and even now it depends on how much internet I have on the phone and if I can I can borrow the internet on a neighbours phone. I have only spoken to him once since he arrived in Germany and that was for only 30 minutes, four days ago. I don’t sleep at night because I am worried and thinking about my husband. Before when my children were at school I would sit with him but now I’m alone. I miss the time we spent together here before he left – we used to go for walks in the camp and did everything together. Everything is difficult without my husband here and there is so much more responsibility on me.

We are hoping to be able to join him soon in Germany. The most important thing for me is that my husband and sons like Germany and that my sons finish their education. We lost everything in Syria except our family and all I want is to keep my sons alive and for them to finish their education. Even if I am living in a tent in Germany as long as I am with my husband I will be happy. My oldest son went to Germany before him and he tells me some things about it. He said the weather there is very different for example, but that there are parks to visit if I get bored. I said all I want is to be in one place and see you at the end of the day. 

Photos by Lucy Beck/CARE.