A traditional Syrian dinner in Lithuania

The three Naoum children attend a Lithuanian school. The oldest son Ibrahim is currently attending eleventh grade. After he finishes school, he plans to study English language at the University. The daughter Petra is in grade six, where she is among the top pupils of her class and has made many friends. The younger son Sam is a first year pupil, he enjoys going to school.
© The three Naoum children attend a Lithuanian school. The oldest son Ibrahim is currently attending eleventh grade. After he finishes school, he plans to study English language at the University. The daughter Petra is in grade six, where she is among the top pupils of her class and has made many friends. The younger son Sam is a first year pupil, he enjoys going to school.

In response to the recent refugee crisis, the European Commission has proposed to allocate 160 thousand refugees among the Member States of the European Union. According to the proposed scheme, by the end of 2017 Lithuania is going to provide asylum for 1105 refugees from Iraq, Syria, and Eritrea.

Click the below to view the gallery and read about some of the refugees in Lithuania.

The Refugees Reception Center in Rukla, Kaunas county, is the primary institution providing temporary stay and social services to accommodate the unaccompanied children during the processing of the application for asylum seekers in the Republic of Lithuania. The Center was established in 1996 and is today tasked with coordination and organisation of integration programmes for refugees.

Currently about 100 Syrian refugees are provided with accommodation in the Center. This Syrian refugee arrived to Lithuania with his wife and two kids. They live in Rukla’s Center for about three months.

Today is a happy day for this refugee family – they have been granted permission to live in Lithuania. Permanent residence permit is executed for five years and after this period passes, it can be prolonged.

The Naoum family was forced to flee four years ago - and leave their home, personal belongings, businesses and friends and family in Syria. They had to leave the life that they had before the war, their two houses and two stores. The current goal is to create a similar quality of life in Lithuania, but that is not an easy task, says Pierre.

Pierre and his wife Aida now live in Jonava with their three children. Pierre works as a translator and often travels to other cities where his services are needed. He also picks up the younger kids Sam and Petra from school every day.

Pierre’s wife Aida is a great hostess and chef. She has found a job and works at Ltd. Vita & Co, which produces handmade sweets. When at home, Aida finds pleasure in taking care of her family.

Every evening, the family gathers around the table, which they consider a family tradition. They are always glad to receive guests, whom they invite to try traditional Syrian dishes. The decision to leave Syria was not easy, but the family hopes that Lithuania will give the children an opportunity at a safe and bright future.

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