Ayaz: Syrian Refugee, Animal Saver
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Ayaz Dara Al Ahmad is a 23-year-old Syrian Kurd who, with one year left to complete his veterinarian studies, was forced to flee Syria because of the war. Along with his parents and siblings, he now lives in the Kawergosk refugee camp just outside of Erbil.
In that refugee camp, Ayaz has devoted himself to caring for abused, sick, and injured animals in a make-shift clinic he maintains. In the middle of great struggle and deprivation, he nurtures and administers medical care to dozens of cats, rabbits, goats, birds, and other animals who have been mistreated or are otherwise suffering from illness and malnutrition.
His remarkable story was first told this week by Kurdistan24, which described how he "is often unable to provide medical treatment to sick animals due to the high price and relatively scarce access to medicine, running his operations without any third-party support."
That report led us, with the help of Kurdistan 24 journalists, to contact Ayaz about his work and how we could help. We spoke with him at length by Skype over the last week about his life, his work, and his ambitions with this extraordinary project.
He described to us how he has loved animals since childhood and always dreamt of being a veterinarian. He still hopes one day to return to his home in Syria and complete his studies in veterinarian medicine and become a fully certified veterinarian.
In the meantime, he views his work as not only devoted to the care of animals but also the well-being of humans - his fellow refugees - as well. "I try to teach the people in the camp and the village nearby that animals deserve respect and their life is valuable," he told us by Skype.
"There was some hostility at first to my work," he explained. "Kids were abusing animals. But I think these animals are starting to make people feel good and realize they can give joy and happiness, especially for kids."
Ayaz explained that his primary obstacle is a lack of funds for basic medicine and supplies he needs to administer proper care. He currently works as a teacher, for a very small sum, and is the sole provider for his parents and siblings, making it impossible for him to use any of his own meager funds.
He sees his work as extending far beyond the specific animals he treats. Ayaz wants to spread a message of compassion, respect and love for animals that he believes will help animals and humans like.
100% of the funds collected with go to Ayaz for use in caring for animals, buying medicine and supplies, and spreading his public campaign of greater compassion and empathy.
He will provide updates, with videos and photos, of the stories of the animals he cares for and the kids and others in the camp he is able to induce to help him.
"I will start with a small project. A small dwelling for the treatment of animals and the purchase of medicines. Then I will try to develop the project until all the neighboring villages and then all the cities of Kurdistan," he told us. This is the camp where Ayaz lives and does his work:
Please help support the work of this young and incredibly compassionate and empathetic person whose work can inspire lots of other people.
"Life is here hard, but I have special love for animals," he told us, "and I want to use that to touch people, improving the lives of both."
In that refugee camp, Ayaz has devoted himself to caring for abused, sick, and injured animals in a make-shift clinic he maintains. In the middle of great struggle and deprivation, he nurtures and administers medical care to dozens of cats, rabbits, goats, birds, and other animals who have been mistreated or are otherwise suffering from illness and malnutrition.
His remarkable story was first told this week by Kurdistan24, which described how he "is often unable to provide medical treatment to sick animals due to the high price and relatively scarce access to medicine, running his operations without any third-party support."
That report led us, with the help of Kurdistan 24 journalists, to contact Ayaz about his work and how we could help. We spoke with him at length by Skype over the last week about his life, his work, and his ambitions with this extraordinary project.
He described to us how he has loved animals since childhood and always dreamt of being a veterinarian. He still hopes one day to return to his home in Syria and complete his studies in veterinarian medicine and become a fully certified veterinarian.
In the meantime, he views his work as not only devoted to the care of animals but also the well-being of humans - his fellow refugees - as well. "I try to teach the people in the camp and the village nearby that animals deserve respect and their life is valuable," he told us by Skype.
"There was some hostility at first to my work," he explained. "Kids were abusing animals. But I think these animals are starting to make people feel good and realize they can give joy and happiness, especially for kids."
Ayaz explained that his primary obstacle is a lack of funds for basic medicine and supplies he needs to administer proper care. He currently works as a teacher, for a very small sum, and is the sole provider for his parents and siblings, making it impossible for him to use any of his own meager funds.
He sees his work as extending far beyond the specific animals he treats. Ayaz wants to spread a message of compassion, respect and love for animals that he believes will help animals and humans like.
100% of the funds collected with go to Ayaz for use in caring for animals, buying medicine and supplies, and spreading his public campaign of greater compassion and empathy.
He will provide updates, with videos and photos, of the stories of the animals he cares for and the kids and others in the camp he is able to induce to help him.
"I will start with a small project. A small dwelling for the treatment of animals and the purchase of medicines. Then I will try to develop the project until all the neighboring villages and then all the cities of Kurdistan," he told us. This is the camp where Ayaz lives and does his work:
Please help support the work of this young and incredibly compassionate and empathetic person whose work can inspire lots of other people.
"Life is here hard, but I have special love for animals," he told us, "and I want to use that to touch people, improving the lives of both."
Organizer
Glenn Greenwald
Organizer
Pompano Beach, FL