I’ll never forget the sound of bombs and bullets in Syria. Then, in Ireland, I had to start from zero. There was no other option

I was separated from my parents for five years, but eventually they came over on holidays to see us. I wanted them to stay here, but I couldn’t uproot them. They told me that they want to die in Syria. I miss them a lot, but I talk to them almost every day.

When I finish work, I try to have a space for me and the people I love. Also, I try to do something positive to promote the beauty of the Syrian culture. We planted some jasmine trees in parks in Ireland to symbolise Irish-Syrian friendships. Jasmine is huge in Syria. It’s about getting away from the war, because we Syrians are happy people. Even though we live difficult lives, there is happiness inside.

I love the Irish culture of going to pubs. Irish men are a bit shy. Although when they are drunk, it’s a different matter.

For the past two summers, I have worked as a volunteer on the Greek island of Kos, meeting boat refugees. I was watching the news in Dublin, and I thought, ‘I can’t only be a witness’. I decided that I had to do something to help these people. It was one of the most difficult, heartbreaking, but positive experiences. We would go down to the beach at 2am and wait for them to arrive. You saw the sadness in their faces — all that trauma. And what they had been through was unbelievable. We would hug them, and then give them food and dry clothes.

The majority of these people came from Syria. Before I brought my brother to Ireland, he was thinking of getting on a boat, too. One day I saw somebody I knew on a boat. It was very depressing. He was an interior designer, and he designed maybe 10 of the top restaurants in my city, but he fled. He knew my friends and my brother.

The first year I helped out, it was a more positive experience. These people couldn’t wait to start a new life. They are now in Germany and Sweden. But this year, it was a more negative experience, because they are trapped in refugee camps and not allowed to travel or work. They have no hope. I feel that it is my duty to see what is happening and speak up for them.

My life is really hectic, and I involve myself in lots of projects. Often I’m not home until 11pm. Before I go to sleep at night, I listen to the news from the Middle East. When the war ends, I want to return to Syria. I feel it is my duty to go back and give the people my strength. I hope that the war ends soon. We can only hope.