Gayane looks to the future while living day by day

Gayane remembers the day she and her family moved to Denmark: “I was overwhelmed with fear at the thought of learning a new language, finding new friends and navigating a completely foreign world.”

Over 11 years, she and her family learned Danish, went to school, found jobs, formed relationships and built a life. They still do not have a residence permit.

“Every time our asylum application was rejected, our world was rejected. We had to pack up our lives, say goodbye to friends and communities we had worked so hard to build.”

They have continued to apply for asylum. The Danish government has approved their case, then reopened it, then rejected it.

“Every time we fill out a new application, the hope grows that this time it will be enough, that this time we will be allowed to stay. But time and time again our hopes are dashed and we have to start all over again.”

“The most frustrating thing about the whole system is the uncertainty we live in. We are given time frames for treatment that are never met and we never know when we will hear something new again.”

“A month before my ninth grade graduation, we were told we were leaving Denmark. It almost broke me, but my parents … encouraged me to show up at school until the last minute. Two days before our scheduled departure, our case was reopened and I was able to continue my schooling and struggle through the final exams.”

Gayane passed her exams. Her status as an asylum seeker prevented her from joining her classmates on study trips abroad. Despite this, she got a 9.2 and top marks in Danish at her gynmasium. She was all set to graduate last year until she received another letter.

“Four months ago, we were threatened with deportation… This time the news hit me harder than ever before. I feared that I wouldn’t be able to celebrate my graduation cap with my family by my side. But thanks to Our Asylum Children, our case was reopened and I was given my cap by my little brother with my parents by my side.”

“Despite all the challenges, I passed eight exams with an average of 8, and now I’m looking forward to starting my vocational training as a multimedia designer in September. I am proud of myself for overcoming so many difficult and frustrating situations during our asylum case.”

“My family and I think Danish, speak Danish and socialize with Danes as if it’s our own country. I dream of the day when we as a family finally get the long-awaited news that we can stay in Denmark – the country that has become our home.”

Gayane has written a piece about her journey, hear her story in her own words.