Raja, Jenan and Seba Three Syrian refugees have described the traumatic journeys they took fleeing their war town homeland prior to settling down in Belfast and making the city their new home. Raja, Seba and Jenan highlightd their ordeals at the In Our Shoes event at The Mac Theatre, run by local charity Voicing the Void in partnereship with the PSNI and the South Belfast Policing and Community Safety Partnership. They spoke of how they have a deep love for their homeland of Syria and never imagined having to leave, but following the outbreak of war in the country they were left with no other option but to leave and try and start a new life elsewhere, suffering many hardships along the way.
Read more: PSNI probe sectarian hate crime after warning against GAA jerseys sprayed on wall Read more: 'Racist' graffiti outside Cookstown school being probed by PSNI Each of the women faced trials and tribulations on their way to Belfast as they had to deal with people smugglers, police, ill-health and injuries but are all glad to have made it to safety in Northern Ireland and developed a great love for the people and places here, although it has not always been so easy for them. They still face struggles with discrimination, rascism, education, work and housing, having to spend weeks in crowded hotels with very food or money. Despite this they are determined to make a new life here and contribute all they can to Northern Ireland saying: "We see ourselves as flowers and Belfast as our so.
