Now Zaher lives in Falun, Sweden. He is happy now and likes school but says it can be hard to concentrate while worrying about his future. His mother, father, brother and two sisters remain in Afghanistan and they are always on his mind. Further, he and many of his friends do not know if they will be allowed to stay in Sweden.
Being young and asylum-seeking, while separated from your family, puts many young refugees in a vulnerable situation. Together with The Swedish Red Cross, the H&M Foundation has helped over 6,000 young refugees to integrate into the Swedish society. The Red Cross arranges homework assistance, volleyball training and other activities like this mountain hike.
“Several of the guys have climbed much larger mountains than the mountains outside. We are here for each other.”
Urban Lindholm, Red Cross volunteer
“Several of the guys have climbed much larger mountains than the mountains outside. We are here for each other”, says Urban Lindholm, who is a Red Cross volunteer and the one who has arranged the hike.
Getting the opportunity to meet adults who listen and help, but also to spread their thoughts and do social activities together with others can in many cases be vital. And despite the insecure future, Zaher and his friends will not give up their dreams of a future in Sweden.
“We stick together here on the mountain and every day” he says. “We’re creating our future together.”
