I am Karen Al Hummed and I am 33 years old. Me and my family came from Iraq to Greece, in the hopes of surviving and being safe. Now we are waiting for the asylum application to be examined. My whole family joined me in this journey. I have a 2-year-old son, Nasri. While we were living in Iraq, the situation was very tense. Religious persecution was the actual reason we fled our country and our hometown. But it was not the only problem in the area. When we were no longer safe, I decided to take my family with me and leave immediately. It vas a very dangerous time. A very risky decision.

On May 29th, 2018 we armed at the port of Samos. We stayed there for a period of 7 months approximately. Then we were transferred to a hotel facility in the center of Athens. under FILOXENIA project funded by the European Commission - DG Home.

When I think of my life back in Iraq before it all started, things were quite and ordinary. I used to work as an automotive. I also had a job at a gas station being responsible not only for cars but also for the cashiers office and the logistics.

On the other hand. I also had a creative side that was uncovered. From a very young age I used to pant. It started in school as a hobby. But then I saw that I had a gift. Time after time, I panted and at some point I did so professionally. I think the reason I was so good is that I absolutely love painting! So much that I couldn't imagine my life without painting. When I was Iiving back in Iraq my art had to be censored. I was not able to paint people and things I wanted. Faces, cartoons, landscapes, are the main source of my inspiration. And I would love to do that here. To be free and to feel safe in my everyday life and in my art.

This is what I want most of all, now that I am here. I want to stay here and grow. I want to take care of my family, go to school and learn Greek.

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