Monday, September 14, 2015
Syrian Refugees Swim Dangerous Waters to Escape War- Beckett Galloway-Chapa
Hesham Modamani and Feras Abukhalil were two ordinary men, trapped in a war-ridden area of Syria who took a perilous journey to escape to Greece... by swimming to it. They began their journey at the farthest outcrop of land, which even then was still about five miles from the Greek Island, Chios.
After careful planning, Hesham and Feras set off to swim the five miles to Greece in order to take refugee there from the horrors of the current state of their country.
"I looked up and saw a black sky full of stars, and I told Feras this is the most beautiful scene I have ever seen in the world.....that we must be of the very rare few to live this experience."
Despite the scenic view, this trek was no small one. After reaching the first resting point, the two were already dwindling from swimming in the pitch black night in order to avoid being detected by the coast guard.
However, after reaching the planned spot, they discovered the spot was not able to be used and were forced to continue on to the next spot. Once again they were forced to carry on. It was beyond exhausting, swimming for almost three or four hours in the dead of night with no rest. The two were beginning to lose hope.
Soon, the approached the coastlines. After an deadening journey of a five hour straight swim, they began to lose energy and agreed to call for help as they were now in Greek waters.
Using a green laser pen, they flashed it around in hopes it would capture the attention of a nearby ship. It did.
At last they were in safe waters and were able to stay in Greece. This journey, though in my opinion, far more dangerous, was similar to that of many English Settlers. While the Settlers at least had a boat and set amount of food, Feras and Hesham were left to their own bodies. However, their journey was far shorter, and they didn't have to deal with over crowded, disease-ridden bunks.
Source/
http://www.cnn.com/2015/09/14/europe/europe-refugee-crisis-swimming-to-freedom/index.html
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It's horrible that some people have to go to this extent to flee their country and it's hard to believe that many other refugees have to travel in worse conditions with less of a chance of escaping. Then there are the ones that are lucky enough to make it to the next country but are denied access because they have already accepted too many other refugees. I hope this problem gets straightened out and we can support these people.
ReplyDelete-Shelby Linker, 8th period
I honestly don't understand why any country would turn down refugees. If they thought that they could come to your country and be safe, you should be honored because they think highly of your country. Every country's goal should be to be the country that others turn to in times like this. The US government (and trump) just don't understand how highly people must think of a country to risk their lives to get there. I hope we can settle this soon so that no other people die trying to be safe.
ReplyDeleteI feel that most refugees are harmless and in fact quite friendly. All countries should accept refugees with welcoming arms. - Gunnar Ozuna Period 6
ReplyDeleteI feel that most refugees are harmless and in fact quite friendly. All countries should accept refugees with welcoming arms. - Gunnar Ozuna Period 6
ReplyDeleteFirst off my thoughts go out to all of the refugees. I hope they find a new home and a prosperous new life. Second I understand that not all countries can handle housing all these immigrants but no one should make concerted efforts to stop them. To round them up and send them to fenced off detention camps. With political leaders of the country making hateful comments towards them. For those countries that can help take in immigrants they need your help. Europe has a long dark history when it comes to immigrants now it's time to reverse it. Finally the part I'm most pissed off about. Who started the dumb rumor that isis could sneak into america with the 10,000 syrians the government has decided to let in. First of all it makes no sense it's extremely improbable and if any syrian refugees found an isis member was among them he wouldn't last a day. As soon that idea came out the media misleads the american public using scare tactics (which is a common media tool used to raise ratings) and going as far as to ask national security advisers if this a threat which there obligated to say there could be. Which doesn't give these immigrants a good chance if they are unfairly viewed in a hostile way by people in our country. Our country is built as a nation of immigrants. We wouldn't be the same with out them. They have shaped are unique culture. Knowing this we should treat new immigrant with open arms as they came believing in the american dream and the idea that you can make your own prosperity. Instead of tainting the great image america was built on.
ReplyDeleteLauren Bush;9th; Comment #2
ReplyDeleteThe influx of Syrian refugees to welcoming countries is heartwarming, but many of these countries have proved unable to handle their quickly growing population. Germany, who immediately allowed countless refugees to cross their borders, are now seeing the repercussions of their actions. If the U.S. wasn't so spooked about terrorists, then other countries wouldn't be having population problems.