Maha Habib, welcomer in foreign land
After three years living under the bombing, Maya Habib had a brainwave. She and her husband resist daily in Syria, but what about their daughter’s future ? As they do not see a positive outcome to the situation, they made the painful decision to leave. They got a visa for France and were welcomed by a friend in the city of Tours.
But since neither she, nor their daughter, nor her husband had ever come to France, everything seems foreing to them. “There was something strange, like the language, the system, how to take the bus, the geography, it was something you have to learn like children, from the beginning, from scratch. But at the same time, I was full of hope. I will learn the language very quickly, I will start my life here, I must look for a job.” (5’17)
She follows courses in several associations including the French Red Cross and works had to progress quickly.
After several months, this former pharmacist wants to find work. But there is no question of returning to her former profession : she wants to help. With Arabic as her mother tongue, she helps to welcome new arrivals. “When I started the first week, when the phone rang, I trembled. Often I don’t understand… I have to say, “Sir, can you please speak softly ? Could you please repeat? I didn’t understand, I have to pass it on to my colleague.” And a number of time people said to me, “Why does the Red Cross hire someone who doesn’t speak French, and doesn’t understand French ?” On the contrary, there are people who really understand. And they said to me, “Oh, okay, I will repeat willingly”. It was a rather difficult experience, quite rich and interesting at the same time.” (10’12)
To go even further in her commitment, Maha Habib is trained in humanitarian law specialized in armed conflict : “With the Red Cross and during the training, I understood that there is an international law that protects civilians, children and women, everyone who does not participate in the hostilities. It was really the motivation that made me want to continue in this field to disseminate these laws to learn and teach these laws to everyone.” (16’12)
Like Maha Habib, you too can welcome new arrivals to the French Red Cross and guide them on their first steps in France.
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