| Article: Dilemma |
 |
 |
 |
 3 July 2009"By running from the gun fire in my country, I have reached a place where I am fired at with gun papers. The thing about living in Lier ventemottak, is that life is not so much about choice. In fact, the two choices we have left are: go mad or die." Today, I woke up to have my breakfast and I met "John" on the way. We greeted each other and headed to the cantina. He usually doesn’t say much and answers very sharply to questions. He doesn’t go out either so I felt curious to understand his philosophy; after all, maybe I will learn something from him. It is very difficult to approach him but I found my way smoothly. The thing I was more interested in was how come he doesn’t go out of Lier ventemottak. The answer was as sharp as it could be: “My friend, the outside world is not mine and I don’t have the means to satisfy my needs. I can go out for sure but as I walk along shop windows I see things that I cannot touch, I mean I can touch but I cannot envy, or shall I say I can envy but I cannot afford.” The man was having the same feeling as me: every single time I step out of the camp I walk the walk of shame, no eye contact with any one at all. I totally understood him. The worst is when I enter some shops and the staff follows us around, we don’t want to be suspected of something we will never do. Unless being an asylum seeker is synonymous with criminal. The more we go out the more we hate ourselves because of things we don’t have power over. We are for sure capable to work so that we could gain our own pocket money. A Norwegian friend told me the other day that it was ok that he helps me financially sometimes. That is so generous of him, but I would like to be the first one who helps me and of course contribute in the society. There is nothing to be proud of when it comes to taking money from another person. And I know the money I work for is sweeter than anything else. Some of my friends change their direction when they see me walking in the street, just because they know I live in a place where I don’t get any financial help and I can’t work. I have lived in Norway for the last six years, I came here to seek asylum and live a peaceful life. My asylum case was rejected and I am “nonreturnable” to my country, which is still at civil war. By running from the gun fire in my country, I have reached a place where I am fired at with gun papers. The thing about living in Lier ventemottak, is that life is not so much about choice. In fact, the two choices we have left are: go mad or die. The majority of the inhabitants are on the verge of losing their mind, wondering why this is happening to them or when will it end. How long can a human being be held in this situation? We understand that our asylum case is rejected, but what about a work permit as long as we are “nonreturnable"? HELP HELP HELP!!! The Disturbing Pen, Inhabitant of Lier ventemottak, 3 July 2009 |