Ayas, who fled Syria to Lithuania: “This is a wonderful country, there are many opportunities here” | Life
Ayas Kero came to Lithuania from Syria with his wife and four-year-old daughter two years ago. The family first lived with the Refugee Reception Center in Rukla, and later moved to Kaunas. However, they did not decide to stay in Jonava for a short time, according to a press release from the center.
Living in Lithuania is good
Ayas is from a family of five children. They all made the difficult decision to emigrate from their homeland. Persistent wars, high unemployment, corruption are the main reasons for deciding to leave Syria. His two brothers currently live in Switzerland and the other brother and sister live in Austria. The friend himself, talking about the decision to live in Lithuania, opens:
“When my wife said that she wanted to go to Lithuania, I didn’t object. I just wanted to be with her and my little daughter. Family is the most important thing to me. We felt good when we came to this country, so we decided to stay and build our future here. ”
The man currently lives with his family in Jonava. After settling in Kaunas at first, they decided that the pace and bustle of life in the big city was not close to their heart.
“In addition, housing prices in Jonava are lower, we live in a spacious apartment. It is a quiet town where we feel safe and happy, ”says A. Kero.
Successfully integrates in Lithuania
When A.Kero and his family members arrived in Lithuania, it was not easy: a completely foreign country, a new culture and an unheard language. No friends, no relatives, no acquaintances. Upon entering the Refugee Reception Center in Rukla, they were provided with all kinds of assistance – starting with the Lithuanian language training course, finding housing, receiving support, and ending with registration questions for visits to doctors.
“My family and I have received a lot of useful information and help from the center staff. I sincerely thank Vitalia, Benita and Asta, ”the man adds, saying that he has been in contact with some employees so far.
Not all integration processes were quick and easy, but A.Kero knew that in order to successfully settle in any foreign country, you first need to learn to speak and understand those around you.
“The hardest part was the language barrier. I studied Lithuanian for almost a year and a half. Even now that the formal training has been completed, I am constantly trying to improve myself: I watch educational video reports, read articles, and I communicate with others in public in Lithuanian, ”says you.
It faces challenges
It is a bit more difficult for A.Kero’s wife, who speaks only English and her native language, so sometimes it is difficult to communicate with a Lithuanian citizen. When it comes to social life, a person emphasizes another nuance, sometimes it makes him sad.
“We don’t have a lot of friends here that you can just meet and have fun with. I only communicate with 2-4 people, my wife has only one friend, ”the man sighs.
But Ayas doesn’t lose optimism and looks at everything with perspective. He is especially happy that his daughter integrated very quickly and easily in Lithuania and learned the language of this country:
“Our family polyglot is a daughter. Maybe that’s why it’s so easy for her to adapt everywhere: when she starts attending kindergarten, the baby is very satisfied, goes every morning and goes to her group friends with the greatest pleasure. ”
Future plans – to start a business
For most foreigners who have emigrated to a foreign country, the fundamental question is: do you need to work, how to save your family? Ayas, who came to Lithuania, immediately knew how to earn a living. The man had worked as a hairdresser in his homeland for many years, so it was clear to him that he should choose a profession.
“I have always enjoyed working as a hairdresser. It’s a clean hard job where you meet a lot of different and interesting people. In addition, there is always room for improvement – new trends and styles change frequently and you need to be able to adapt, ”says A. Kero.
It’s a clean hard job where you meet a lot of different and interesting people.
The man has been working for a gentleman’s hairdresser in Kaunas for almost two years. Recently, she also started working in the Jonava beauty salon, where she performs hair and beard cutting and shaping, eyebrow treatment, SPA procedures for the face, etc. When asked if he has a lot of work, the man answers:
“I really, have nice customers, especially in Kaunas. I am very happy that more and more new people are coming. I have been working in Jonava for a short time, so there are still vacancies – I invite you to register. “
The job of a hairdresser is not for everyone, but a man of his choice is assured.
“It simply came to our notice then. I go to work every day like a holiday. I really hope that my old dream will come true soon and I will be able to open my own hairdresser, ”she shares her plans for the future.
A.Kero and his family really like Lithuania, the people around him are friendly, tolerant and willing to communicate. As a result, the man is happy not only to have chosen the right profession, but also a good country and his family:
“Leaving your homeland means you will always be an emigrant. But the most important thing for me is to be with my family. I am glad we are alive, healthy and happy. Is it possible to reconcile family needs with business, I don’t know what more you could want? Lithuania is a wonderful country full of opportunities, ”concludes A. Kero.