This is Abdul
This is Abdul from Iraq. I met him in Dunkirk. At home he is a taxi driver and he has taught himself eight languages, including Arabic and a pretty damn good standard of English I think. He says he learnt English watching Top Gear and likes Jason Statham films because they have cars in them.
He has been in Dunkirk for five months and has a uncle in the UK he is hoping to join. He is unbelievably cheerful and upbeat on this freezing cold day, telling me how hard he has tried to get to his uncle, how many times his hopes have been dashed, and yet how determined he still remains.
He took me to see where he is sleeping. With a cheerful grin he explained how lucky he is to have found somewhere with a roof. He said he feels guilty every night because so many people are sleeping in the woods.
Following this happy explanation I find it hard to hide my shock when I see his tent. It is small and dirty and on the floor of a broken down building surrounded by smashed glass and litter. He tells me that four people sleep in one of the (two man) tents and three people in the other. I smile encouragingly and cry inside because he thinks he is lucky and worries about others.
To volunteer or donate go to www.care4calais.org
Recent posts
