Seeking Refuge (OmeU) | Zuflucht gesucht - Seeking Refuge | bpb.de

At the age of ten Ali escapes with his grandmother from war-ravaged Afghanistan. His parents, however, are not allowed to leave the country. Ali feels all too often lonesome in his new environment, for he has not heard from his parents since his departure. To find his way in the new environment turns out to be a big challenge, too.

As a ten-year-old, Hamid and his mother flee from their home country Eritrea to escape the border conflict between Eritrea and Ethiopia. They are forced to leave Hamid’s father behind because he is entrusted with confidential information. Following an exhausting flight, mother and son arrive in Europe. Yet, they find it hard to feel at home. One day they receive the news that their father has died.

As a three-year-old, Juliane is put into an orphanage. Coincidentally, she finds her mother who had to flee from home due to political persecution. Together they find refuge in Europe. Although Juliane struggles to adapt to her new life, she soon develops the confidence to embrace her future.

Rachel's family is Christian and is both threatened and excluded in their Muslim country. The family flees to Europe. However, after a short, unburdened time they are in custody pending deportation. Back where they came from, the family is even more threatened than before. Once more, they seek refuge in Europe. Rachel lives in constant fear of deportation. But then she receives the message she has been waiting for: the family has been granted an unlimited residence permit.

Navid belongs to the ethnic group of the Kurds and faces repressions in Iran. Since his father increasingly suffers from all the restrictions, he flees to Europe. Navid and his mother follow him several years later. Although there are many dangerous situations as they flee, the family eventually reunites. The adaptation to the new environment is nevertheless difficult for Navid.