What The Guardian Didn’t Tell About My Story
My Story Behind The Guardian Interview
But that article was only part of the story. This is what came before… and what followed.
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Read the Original Article
👉 https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/dec/11/catalan-villages-refugees-repopulation-plan
From Haiti to Barcelona
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Like many others, I applied for asylum and began building a life from zero.
Barcelona was overwhelming in the best way.
Despite having no stable work, I managed to survive on my own—paying rent, handling daily life, and slowly adapting. It wasn’t easy, but it was mine.
Then, in mid-June, everything changed.
Huesca: A Difficult Transition
I didn’t want to leave Barcelona. But I needed stability, so I accepted.
Life there was… difficult.
I lived in shared accommodation with dozens of people from different backgrounds. What could have been a supportive environment felt, instead, chaotic and exhausting. There was constant noise, tension, and a lack of basic respect in daily living.
I don’t say this with judgment—but with honesty:
that period was one of the hardest I experienced after Haiti.
At the same time, I was attending daily sessions with an organization, trying to learn Spanish and find work. But weeks turned into months, and nothing really changed.
I felt stuck.
A Door Opens
Everything shifted when a friend told me about a new opportunity in Catalonia.
A program designed to repopulate small villages.
They were offering:
- a job contract
- the possibility to live in a village
- and a chance to start over
I applied. Many did. Only a few were selected.
I was one of them.
And when they asked where I wanted to go, I chose the High Pyrenees—despite never having lived in the mountains before.
It was a decision that would change everything.
Arrival in Tírvia
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At the end of November 2022, I arrived in Tírvia.
From the very first moment, I felt something different.
The silence.
The mountains.
The sky.
I was placed in a large old house overlooking the entire village. From there, I could see everything—clouds moving between peaks, vultures flying close by, deer passing near the house at dawn.
It felt unreal.
And yet, it wasn’t easy at the beginning.
Winter in the Pyrenees is harsh.
Despite having three types of heating, I spent my first days freezing.
Eventually, I moved to a much smaller place—a former chicken house, renovated into a tiny home.
It was simple, but warm. And for the first time in months, I felt comfortable.
The Interview
Only days after settling in, I received unexpected news:
The Guardian wanted to interview me.
I was one of the few participants who spoke English, so I became a voice for the program.
I accepted immediately.
The interview was formal, direct, and honest. I shared my journey, my experience, and my perspective on this new life.
Soon after, the article was published.
What Happened Next
At first, it felt exciting.
My story spread quickly across Catalonia, Spain, and beyond.
People started recognizing me. Messages and calls came from everywhere.
For a moment, I experienced what it feels like to suddenly become visible.
But there was another side.
Some media outlets, especially outside Europe, began reshaping the story—adding interpretations, assumptions, even statements I never made.
My story was no longer just mine.
At that time, my family was still in Syria.
And that made everything more serious.
What started as a positive experience turned into a period of real concern.
I limited my online presence, avoided interviews, and stepped back.
Thankfully, with time, things calmed down.
Life returned to normal.
What Needs to Be Clarified
There are a few important points that were misunderstood:
- I was not “given money” or financially supported beyond the program structure
- I had a regular salary
- I paid my own rent, food, and daily expenses
People in the village were kind and generous—but in a human way, not a financial one.
Sometimes sharing vegetables, eggs, or small gestures, as is common in village life.
Also, an important part of the program was the mentors—local volunteers who helped us integrate, understand the area, and navigate daily life. Their support was invaluable.
A New Beginning
Over time, I settled in.
I completed my contract with the town hall, moved to a new apartment, and continued working.
More importantly, I began writing.
It was in Tírvia that I started documenting my journey—turning memories into words, experiences into a story.
A story that goes far beyond that one interview.
My Book
You can explore my work here:
Final Note
The Guardian told part of my story.
This is the rest of it.
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