Day 3 & 4: Family Interviews

Day Three
3/13/16

Today, it took us two hours to get from Amman to the Al-Azraq camp by car, which was faster than with the truck. The plan for the day was to go to the Syrian refugees' homes and interview them. 
When we arrived at the center early in the afternoon we were told that refugees had been waiting to speak to us to share their stories and ask for help since 8AM. We began our interviews at the Al-Azraq center and made our way to the apartments in the surrounding area. For the next six hours we heard endless stories about their challenging past. Those we interviewed seemed to be glad to just have someone to hear it their stories. 
All of the families shared a similar wish to return to Syria. 

Day Four (Family Interviews Continued)
3/14/16

The original plan was to visit families living in the tents, but the winds today were too strong. As a result the staff at the center told us we could not visit and that it would have to be done the following day.
Word spread throughout the camp that we were there and refugees came flocking to the center to see us so they could share their stories and seek help. Originally we were only supposed to see 15 families from the tents but others came and we could not turn them away, so we sat and interviewed each person that visited us. Many traveled a great distance to the center.  

During our interviews we asked each family about medical issues they or their immediate loved ones were experiencing and asked about any medications they struggled purchasing. The most common health issues were high blood pressure, diabetes, and disc problems.

There was one couple who stuck with me in particular. We had asked what their dreams and hopes were for their future. The husband’s response was "To return home". For some reason this couple really stood out to me and my sister and we couldn’t help but start to cry. Hearing all of these stories first hand became overwhelming. 
A young girl who was sitting in the room with us during some of the interviews asked me why I got so emotional. Her question broke my heart. 
A total of 28 families were interviewed between the two days.
-Sarah Abaza