Before I was a refugee

In this video, people living in a camp in the port of Athens are asked what they did before they were labelled 'refugee'. Watch the video to find out what they say.

Do the preparation task first. Then watch the video and do the exercises. Remember you can read the transcript at any time.

Preparation

Video zone: Before I was a refugee – preparation

Transcript

I am a dentist, from Kabul.

I'm a mechanic.

I studied agriculture engineering.

Yes, I was studying in university.

What did you study?

Energy.

I am engineer.

Driver.

Mother.

I worked with British army in Afghanistan.

I was a cable guy.

Job in boutique and fashion. Men and women. In central Baghdad.

My life, it was good. I don't have economical problems. Just I have my life problem.

First, I have dignity in my country. This is first. Second, I have respect.

Our life was so, so lovely. We have everything in our city.

I feel more comfortable in my country. But because of war, I escape.

But now we don't have anything, because the war finished everything.

It's very difficult to live without family. Without family you just like a lone tree. No one can help you. No one can care you.

Iraq, Iraq, problem. Iraq no good. Family in Iraq … no family. Finished.

We try to forget what happened to us.

We try to do something to, you know, make better. You know? Just football or some hobbies.

We play cards, we play chess, we go to swim, we do, but just to make time goes. Just we want to finish the day. Nothing more, nothing less. But not to have a fun, because nothing, nothing will make us happy here.

We are just waiting for a bright day, we are waiting for a bright day. I know this is night, it's night. One day it will become a bright day. And we are just waiting for a bright day.