Heidari Zabillha (22) came from Afghanistan to Switzerland three years ago. Originally he had not planned to come to Switzerland. But when he was here, he felt safe and liked the country and the people, so he decided to stay: “What I like most about Switzerland is that it’s so safe. I didn’t know that before. The people are all so happy here and of course I also like the landscape.”
In the beginning everything was new in Switzerland: Heidari didn’t know the people and the first Swiss he met were his interviewers in the centre. He discovered Sohail and our organisation when Sohail advertised the Bong Da City in the centre of Rothenburg and they made friends. Hallo, Wie gehts?, Schönen Tag!, Grüezi and Sali were the first German words he learned.
Heidari has recently been able to go to school three days a week, where he has three hours of German lessons each. Actually, he would rather work, he says. But without a permit, you have no chance of getting a proper education.
If he has no school, he meets with friends. Then they play football, volleyball, cricket or they play cards. He now feels most comfortable in Lucerne, as he has made many contacts over the last three years and can meet his friends in the summer at the “Ufschütti” in Lucerne. Although he likes Swiss food, he usually eats his usual food. But he loves spaghetti, cheese and salad!
I asked him what he was proud of, what he had already achieved in Switzerland. Heidari smiles half-heartedly and says that he can’t be proud of anything if he can’t do anything about it. He learns German, but that also takes time before he can speak well. He is only proud of himself when he can do an apprenticeship.
“Swiss are good people. They are fair and honest, very helpful and almost always happy! That also makes me happier.”
“My dream is to get a work permit. As soon as I have it, I want to look for an apprenticeship and get a good education. I would prefer to become a doctor or work in the care sector. Mechanic would also be interesting!”