While seeking for a better life, a young Afghan boy and his family ended up in Bosnia. After more than three years of wandering and passing many countries, Noman Gulzada said that what he found in Bosnia was an inspiration for art.
“I started painting here, I've never done it before. I was taught to play the guitar by an African man while I was in Serbia. He is my friend and he helped me learn to play,” said Noman.
The Afghan boy left his homeland three and a half years ago when he was 13. He set off for a journey with his mother and three brothers. The father has been in the UK for 14 past years and they hope to meet with him one day. Before arriving in Bosnia, the Afghan family stayed in Turkey, Bulgaria, Serbia and now for the past eight months they live in the northwestern town Bihac.
Noman learnt some Bosnian with the help of Bihac students of the Faculty of Pedagogy. They volunteer to help the migrant children maintain their education.
Despite the prejudices they had, the students paid their first visit to a migrant camp near Bihac and now, several months later, they say they don't regret going there.
“Those children are not only capable of attending classes but they demanded to go to school. First, we held classes three days a week. When the weekend comes they ask us: Are you going to come tomorrow?,” said Almira Dzanic, the Pedagogical Faculty professor.
Noman attends a local elementary school in Ostrozac settlement.
“It is great over there. They are treating me very well. They don't act like I am a migrant. They treat me as their own. And that's why I love Bosnia,” said the Afghan boy.
Although he enjoys life in Bosnia, Noman dreams of the day when he, his three brothers and mother will be together with his father.
