From Damascus to Rothesay

“Where’re you from?” I ask the young man serving me lunch today, thinking he had an Italian accent.
 
 “Syria,” he replied.
 
 Noumena  (left) is a 20-year-old aeronautical engineering student from Damascus University. He is among the first group of refugees to arrive in Britain having fled to Lebanon.
 
Yes, he was surprised to find himself on the Isle of Bute. He smiles.
“I like it here. I have a job. One day as soon as my English is good enough I want to resume my studies.”
 
Working alongside him is Mohammad, a 24-year-old graduate too from Damascus University. He had started work as a teacher until the troubles started then he too fled with his family to Lebanon.
 
What did they think of Scotland, particularly the weather? They smile and shrug.
“ In Syria sometimes it is much colder.”
No, the coldness does not bother them though the frequent rain did come as a bit of a surprise.
 
Today they work in the café of Mount Stuart House and they are pleased to have employment.
 
What would make their lives on the Isle of Bute better?
“Internet access…it is not very good.”
  

That way they could not only communicate with the outside world but they could also keep in touch with their own culture.

It is difficut to imagine the traumatic experiences they must have been through in their young lives as they smile cheerfully preparing the soup and sandwiches for the daily visitors to Mount Stuart House.