TSOS Europe trip 2017

Last October I had an experience that I’ve been wanting to share. I was asked to go to Germany and Italy with the NPO, Their Story is Our Story: Giving Voice to Refugees. Straight from their mission statement on their website, Their Story is Our Story or TSOS for short, “uses art to shape international dialogue about refugees, with the intent to better the situation of refugees worldwide. We help refugees to tell their stories in a way that is intimate and emotionally authentic.” These are some random images from the trip. TSOS hasn’t yet put on their website most of the stories of the refugees that I have portraits of here, but I will link to those that they do have. 

Some of the team.

Outside the window of the first refugee we photographed, Roya.

Kindred Spirit Reunion. Roya, from Afghanistan on the left. TSOS hasn’t put her story on their website yet—amazing story of her fighting for women’s rights, getting shot in the legs in the public square among other persecutions, fleeing with her children and making the long dangerous trek to Europe… Seen here with Twila Bird, TSOS editor in Chief.

TSOS also interviewed people devoted to helping refugees. This is Michael. He was a director of the refugee camp where Roya and her family lived before getting their apartment. He continues to help her family.

Roya in her kitchen signing paperwork.

Roya with talented TSOS artist, Liz Thayer

Kamaria at home with the great baklava she made for us. You can read her story here. 

Outside a refugee camp near Rome

Michael, eager to share his story and pretty rattled by what he’s been through.

TSOS interviewing Michael

Fadel, so much in those eyes…

I’ll never forget one experience in that parking lot. We had just arrived and many refugees were gathered there to eat. I was sitting on the ground getting out my gear and before I knew it, two little arms were wrapped tightly around my neck. It took a moment to figure out what was happening and see that it was a little boy maybe 4 years of age, hugging me tightly and chattering excitedly in a language that I didn’t recognize. He had curly hair like mine and a blue and white striped shirt like mine. I have no idea what he was saying. Maybe he mistook me for someone else or maybe he was just excited that we matched. He left before I could make sense of anything and later I tried to catch him to get a portrait but unfortunately didn’t get the chance. The image above is of his older brother on the bike. I often think of those boys and their situation. They were the only children I remember seeing there. Why were they there? What is their story? I get a lump in my throat remembering those tiny arms pressed into my neck.

Garrett Gibbons, film maker and photographer setting up for interviews in an alley in Naples

First interview in Naples with Heydi.

I photographed Heydi in his friend’s hair salon. Heydi lives in a refugee camp but works when he can in the salon.

Felix, from Nigeria

Last second as we were packing up he wanted to share his story. All the video equipment was put away, so TSOS president, Trisha Leimer offered to use her phone.

This guy wanted to show these scars but was hesitant at first about me photographing them. He said maybe it wasn’t good for people to see what he had gone through. I said that it helps people be aware and he seemed okay with that. As far as I understand, those scars are from a tribal ritual in his native African country.

I enjoyed being around these guys. (The one that is blurred wants to be anonymous). They have formed a great brotherhood in their refugee camp.

On the train in a tunnel…

Hands of another refugee friend wishing to remain anonymous.

Interviewing Rhenald in Rome.

Rhenald is from Nigeria. I was able to understand his story because it was in English (unlike many of the others) and couldn’t believe all that he’s been through and how he’s gone through it with such faith, from being smuggled in the trunk of a car with 4 or 5 other men, surviving a raft ride that was only meant to carry a fourth of the people it had, and on and on. As soon as the interview stopped I had to shake his hand.

Liz Thayer, painting a refugee teen who for the time being needs to remain anonymous.

Akhtar and Kamil, father and son from Syria. I followed them around one morning as they go about their normal routine. Their homes and prestigious stone business were bombed in Syria so they fled to Germany having to leave many family members behind. Here they are studying German very early in the morning. You can read more of their story here and here.

Akhtar offering me some apples for breakfast. I am so glad I got this shot to remember it.

They share this kitchen with around twenty other men who were currently sleeping at the time. It was about 4 am.

Breakfasting.

Akhtar, just before departing for work

 Waiting for the bus about 4:30am to go to the stone masonry where they starting working as interns (After already being masters in their native country). Bus ride. Working side by side in the stone factory, Eichhorn and Wener Stoneworks.TSOS crew as the sun rose outside the stone factory.  Thomas, owner of Eichhorn and Wener Stoneworks. One of the jolliest men I’ve ever met. He hired Akhtar and Kamil and loves their work. He gives them rides from the bus stop every morning.   

(I told you these were random images)

During an interview with this couple and their kids in the image below, the Brown Family…They did a great project where they gathered bikes and brought them to a refugee camp in Germany. The refugees then set up a bike station in the camp giving them a sense of responsibility and the opportunity to work.

Sahar. After heavy religious persecution, she left her country (which I can’t name here) and made the difficult trek by herself across many countries…

Nabi from Afghanistan being interviewed, with his partner Ralph. In his country, his family and community never would have accepted his current lifestyle.

Nabi, portrait.

I’ve tried to put into words how I feel about my experience getting to meet these incredible humans, but everything sounds so trite. I hope that my images can speak for themselves of the deep feeling I have that they are my brothers and sisters. I definitely was in my element and would love to do more of this kind of work in the future.

For opportunities to help refugees, some great resources:

www.tsos.org

www.serverefugees.org (Utah)

www.unicefusa.org/mission/emergencies/child-refugees