Bader

KLABU Store & Clubhouse Opening

A story of resilience and growth: discover the unbeatable spirit of Amsterdammer Bader (30, originally from Syria) who runs the successful and mouthwatering catering company Hummus & Habibis.

I’m Bader (30)
I was 18-years old, when I had to leave Syria.
I traveled alone through Lebanon, Turkey, Greece, Italy, and finally, Amsterdam.
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When I was in Turkey, I struggled to rebuild my life.
I got below the minimum salary as a Syrian refugee.
People took advantage of me.
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One day I called my dad, crying, and I said;
I’ve always had a feeling I’m special.
There must be more to life than pain and trying to reach safety.
This cannot be it.
I told my dad I’m hearing about boats going to Europe.
I asked if he could help me because it costs €10,000.
My father decided to sell his butcher shop.
He wanted me to have a future.
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A day later, I heard from news about a boat sinking and 200 people dying.
I started to have panic attacks.
My mind was filled with the last seconds of my life; being under the water, trying to breathe.
I was thinking: what I am throwing myself into.
When the day came, I felt like I was in a Hollywood movie.
Walking through the jungle. Smugglers. 50 people squeezed into a rubber boat.
Once we arrived on an island, I jumped from the boat.
I swam, stood on the beach, and I took a photo.
I was alive. I made it, baby!
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I feel privileged I’ve experienced what I had to experience.
I don’t want people to pity me because I am a refugee.
These situations are challenging but they taught me things you can’t learn in school.
Life is not about comfort, having the best car, and being in the best school.
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Life will challenge all of us in one way or another.
But not everyone is ready to face huge challenges and overcome them.
Through working on myself; crying, breathing, therapist.
It’s been healing to accept and be grateful for the hard parts of life.
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It’s difficult to say if other refugees see their experience as valuable.
I know if I would go now to Ter Apel and say to people they are privileged
They would laugh at me - and I get it.
I only started to feel this way after my company “Hummus & Habibis”.
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Hummus & Habibis changed my life.
It gave me a mission and made me stand on my feet.
I felt seen for the first time in my life.
Now people stop me on the street; they thank me for what I do.
I can give back to my family and other refugees.
All these years, all these struggles made me stand here.
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Would have you guessed I feel privileged to be a refugee?
No, me neither.
Not long ago, I felt seen just as a refugee number 2C6.
But the labels are only the surface.
What’s below the surface,
That is what truly matters.
-- Story by KLABU community members Elsa Havas (copy) and Amanda van Hesteren (video)
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