My Journey to Kilis

****

My Journey to Kilis

Published by Abdullah Firoze

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2013 Abdullah Firoze

****

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

****

Table of Contents

Preface

Day #1

Doha International Airport, Qatar

Istanbul Atatürk Airport, Turkey

On Air: Istanbul to Gaziantep Now Playing

Hunting for Kilis

Kilis Turns Killer

In Steps Eaup

All That in 24 Hours?

Day #2

Wait—I am Supposed to Enter Syria?

Killing Time Slowly

Day #3

More Tea? Yes Please.

Plan C: Visiting a Polyclinic for Syrians

Lunch

After a Hard Day’s Work

Medicine

The Pediatrician

Tea

Day #4

Indian in Kilis = Rare

Murder in Aleppo

Day #5

If Only I Spoke Arabic

A Walk Through History

Turkish Food in Turkey—Finally

Hepatitis A, Innocence and Chocolate Ice Cream

Day #6

The Only Tourist in Kilis

Sheep’s Milk

Day #7

Medicine: A Universal Language

Blood Pressure of 200/110 & Fasting Blood Sugar of 367?

Kilis Museum

Night Clinic

Day #8

Investigative Journalism: Life in Syria

My Social Circle

3 Nights in Istanbul

Day #9

Family

Today’s Gossip: Ahmed Rafe Killed in Syria

Playing Doctor

Day #10

Ahmed’s Story

In Times of Darkness—Hope is Our Greatest Strength

Mental Illnesses—MSF

Day #11

The Polyclinic: What is the Mission?

Day #12

How the Clinic Runs: A Step-by-Step Guide

Lunch at Bubblie’s

Day #13

Getting the Full Experience—Gastroenteritis

Day #14

A Web of Random Thoughts

Day #15

Another Mother’s Tears

Preparing for Tomorrow’s Goodbyes

Day #16

Last Clinic in Kilis

I Hate Goodbyes

Day #17

Off to Istanbul

Gaziantep Airport

Istanbul—Hunting for My Hotel

From Belly Dancers to Drinks—Invitations

Day #18

Exhausted—All in One Day

Day #19

Basilica Cistern and Sultan Ahmet (Blue) Mosque

The Panorama View of Galata Tower

Day #20

1453: Conquest of Constantinople

Day #21

Reflections of a Traveler: My Last Blog Post

****

Preface

One million. That is the number of Syrian refugees that are either registered as refugees or being assisted as such according to a press release by the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) on March 6th, 2013. Thus, deciding to work with Syrian refugees was an easy decision for me. During the summer of 2012 as the Syrian crisis continued to escalate, I decided that I wanted to find a way to work with Syrian refugees. I had been involved in various charity projects raising funds or awareness before, but this time I wanted to be directly and actively involved. I wanted to be present on the ground.

I immediately set to work by communicating with the various NGOs in Qatar to see who would be willing to let me, a medical student with limited knowledge of Arabic, join them on their mission. I learnt about the Syrian refugee camp in Kilis, Turkey, which is about eight kilometers from the Turkish-Syrian border. Turkey I thought would be the best place to gain experience and possibly the safest. One of the NGOs finally agreed to the possibility of me joining their mission work in Kilis.

What was I going to do once I got to Kilis? I had no idea. I told the NGO that I was willing to do anything that was needed. Maybe provide administrative assistance to mobile clinics? Provide aid? Teach? Check blood pressures? Whatever they wanted me to do I was willing to do for the sake of helping these refugees and gain this experience.

As months passed by my plan to visit Kilis and my perseverance were both put to the test. At times I was confident I was going to Turkey, while at others everything seemed to be falling apart. When a Turkish village was caught in cross border fire I was asked by the NGO’s team in Kilis to cancel my plans. Still, I was persistent and told them to give the situation a week or so to see if things would escalate on the border or not.

Finally, on October 28th 2012 I found myself at the Doha International Airport headed for Kilis. I think that is when I was sure that I was going to work with Syrian refugees. At the airport I decided that I wanted to be able to share my experience with others or at least express myself in writing. I decided to start blogging on WordPress and this was my first time creating a blog post. I was pleasantly surprised when I found out that my blog was well received by my friends.

My journey, or rather adventure, was a success as far as I am concerned. I learnt more not only about the Syrian crisis and medicine but also about myself. Most importantly, I think I was able to establish a direct connection with the victims without a media outlet, book or movie. It was personal and inspirational.

Wanting to continue to share my experience with others I decided to convert my blog into an actual book. While doing this meant making many changes I tried to stay true to the original writing, its content and emotions.

I hope you enjoy it and share it with others.

****

Day #1

Doha International Airport, Qatar

October 28, 2012

12:45 A.M.

It is almost 1:00 A.M. in the morning and I am sitting at the airport lounge waiting to board my plane to Istanbul. The airport is bustling with people, full of life, heedless of the time outside. I on the other hand am dead tired—want to sleep or maybe even eat something light while watching a TV show.

I am excited about going on this service trip because it is something I have wanted to do for a few years now. Finally, I am on my way to do it! If I said I wasn’t nervous, I would be lying. In fact, I was so focused on making this trip work; I kind of left all the freaking out part for my last weekend in Doha. Right now I am just praying that I reach my final destination of Kilis, Turkey safely and meet the NGO team there. I will be flying to Istanbul, then taking a domestic flight to Gaziantep and from there a bus to the city of Kilis. Safe to say, I will probably not be reaching my new home until late in the evening.

What do I know about Kilis? Well, not much as the web was not very helpful. I only know that this city is located very close to the Syrian border and houses the Syrian refugee camp that I will be volunteering at. Let’s hope not being able to speak Arabic or Turkish won’t be that much of a problem. [I said hope.]

Well, first thing first, I hope I don’t have a problem getting my visa on arrival in Istanbul otherwise this will probably be the shortest blog ever! (I am new to this whole blogging concept.) I can hear them on the PA system asking all Istanbul bound passengers to proceed to the gate. It is time for me (and my flight of ideas) to embark on a new adventure. One that Insha’Allah, God willing, I am sure will be a great experience for me on both a personal and professional level.

Off to Turkey for three weeks! (I am still not sure whether I am more of excited or apprehensive about what I shall meet there.)

Istanbul Atatürk Airport, Turkey

October 28, 2012

9:10 A.M.

Alhamdulillah (Thank God), I made it pass immigration and got my visa on arrival. I was nervous about having problems getting a visa on arrival since the Ministry’s website was somewhat unclear about the process. The wait took a while as I was sent to the end of the airport to a special cue for passport holders of All African countries, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Malta. Still, the immigration process was relatively quick with no questions asked. The immigration officer first redirected me to another counter to pay for my visa. I did so and then returned back to the same immigration officer. Upon showing him my receipt of payment, he stamped my passport. That simple.

Now that I am in the country… (PA—Just great, all flights are delayed secondary to traffic congestion on the runway and the weather.) Anyways, I am