Expat Stories
Meet Walid and Hana – Syrian Refugees Rebuilding Life in Cyprus
This article tells the story of Walid Khayef and Hana Shaheen, a couple from Idlib with eight children, who fled Syria in 2017 after losing their home and close relatives due to airstrikes and explosions. The family now lives in Paphos, Cyprus, under subsidiary protection, facing challenges of rebuilding life with limited income and a large household to support. Despite these difficulties, Walid and Hana remain hopeful, valuing safety and the education of their children as a key to restoring normalcy and a better future after years of displacement and hardship.
Exile Changes a Family’s Fate — Ahmed Ibrahim’s Journey from Idlib to Lebanon
This article tells the story of Ahmed Ibrahim (a pseudonym) from rural Idlib near Maaret al-Numan, who made a life-altering decision during the Syrian war to send his wife and children to Lebanon in search of safety, while he remained in Syria to protect what remained of their property and support his family remotely. The piece explores the family’s transition from rural stability to the harsh realities of refugee camp life in Lebanon, marked by poverty, limited services, and disrupted education. It also examines the emotional and social toll of exile, including family separation, guilt, and longing for home, reflecting the broader struggles of thousands of Syrian refugee families and highlighting how displacement reshapes lives and destinies.
Stories of Return and Investment – From Longing to Action
“Stories of Return” reflect powerful journeys of expatriates who choose to come back to Idlib and invest their knowledge, skills, and resources in the city. Through small businesses, educational initiatives, and community projects, these returnees create jobs, transfer professional expertise, and inspire social and economic growth. These stories go beyond personal success, representing hope, resilience, and a shared vision for a sustainable future.
Joint Projects – Cooperation Beyond Borders
“From Idlib to the World” highlights the evolving role of expatriates through joint projects that connect Idlib with its diaspora. These initiatives go beyond financial aid to include entrepreneurship, education, youth training, cultural preservation, and environmental action. Managed remotely through digital tools, such projects enable knowledge transfer, skill-sharing, and new opportunities for local communities. They strengthen the sense of belonging and prove that geographical borders do not limit creativity or community-driven development.
Diaspora Map – Tracking Idlib’s Impact Around the World
The “Expatriates Map” is a community initiative designed to connect people from Idlib living abroad with each other and with their hometown. By mapping their locations, skills, and fields of expertise, the platform enables knowledge exchange, collaboration, and mutual support. It also documents the global impact of Idlib’s diaspora across education, economy, culture, and development, helping maintain strong social and cultural ties despite distance.
?From the diaspora to the homeland What economic role awaits Syrian expatriates
Syrian expatriates are emerging as a key factor in reviving Syria’s post-liberation economy, leveraging their capital, skills, and economic networks acquired in neighboring countries. In Turkey, Lebanon, Egypt, Jordan, and Iraq, Syrians have established companies and invested across multiple sectors, making them an influential economic force capable of contributing to Syria’s reconstruction and regional integration.