Since 2015 I portrayed women who for a variety of reasons, are living in exile in Berlin. But wherever these women come from and whatever they have gone through they had the courage to take their lives into their own hands to build a new future for themselves and their children. I direct our gaze not to our different backgrounds but to the common future we share. All photographs are accompanied by texts in which these women speak for themselves. It was important to me right from the beginning that the women actively participated in the project that they could speak in their own words and about the subjects closest to their hearts

I would like to speak about my feelings, which are universal and can be understood by anyone. It does not depend on my face, or my nationality, or my religion or my skin colour. 
Everyone can understand my feeling, my sadness at the fact that I can't return to my homeland.

I have survived so much in my life that I now feel like there’s nothing I can’t handle.

The first thing I noticed here is how powerful German women are. I find it encouraging, I want to be like them.

Swimming is my life. I wish all girls in Syria were taught how to swim. Then we’d compete against the boys. We have to show the boys that we’re tough girls.

It’s all about forgiveness. I don’t want any mother to lose her son anymore, no sister to lose her brother, no daughter to lose her father and no wife to lose her husband. Only if we forgive each other we’ll be able to reconcile with each other and rebuild our country.

When you know that you’re facing prison for your political convictions, you also know how important your own work is.

In Germany I can have my own opinion and ask all the questions I have. This is what freedom means to me.

My baby is few months old now; she gurgles and squeals, to explore her voice. One day those gurgles will turn into words, and with those words she will raise questions about Syria. In the ideal times it's not easy to answer the children favorite question: Why? Not to mention words like revolution, war and exile.

Germany is my home. On 2 February 2006 my family was deported from Germany to Lebanon. I lived here for 16 years. I spent my childhood and my youth here, though we never had a residence permit. Last year, I returned with my husband and my three children, I returned to my home.

Before I came to Berlin, I always wondered how would it feel to kiss on the streets. How would it feel to kiss them while a cool breeze gently touches my face … or while feeling the warmth of the sun on my skin … or just … kiss them with no fear!

Whatever happens, I’m able to take my life into my own hands. Here in Germany, I take part in an EAF program that supports women in their political work. I’m especially interested to help women strengthen their rights. I know my country needs me. That’s why I want to go back as soon as possible and help rebuilding it.

I don’t have a political voice. I’m not allowed to vote, neither in Syria nor in Germany.