Omar Khalaf

Last year, I was a student of Physics at Damascus University in Syria. This year, people call me "refugee".

I knew there was a serious war going on in my country, but stayed in school as long as possible so I could graduate - I love science and especially physics. But the war came to my city of Damascus, and the university was forced to close. My family had no choice but to run away as far as we could, or stay and die in the conflict between the rebels and government fighting. We ended up in Iraqi Kurdistan in the city of Erbil where my family and I are safe - for now. We try to find work to support ourselves any way we can, but I started painting again - like when I was younger. Now I paint the things my eyes have seen and beautiful memories my mind can imagine. I hope to sell my paintings and buy food for my family. Please help me help my family by purchasing my artwork!