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Arwa's Story –
Surviving Displacement and Seeking Asylum as a Palestinian Refugee
Early Years
Arwa grew up in Yarmouk Cmp, a so-called unofficial refugee camp, established by the Syrian government for Palestinians, just outside Damascus. According to UNRWA: 'Before the war in Syria, it was home to around 160000 Paletine Refugees, making it the largest Palestine Refugee community in the country and a key commercil hub known for its vibrant markets and affordable goods.
Images: The gateway to the Yarmouk Palestinian refugee camp near Damascus.
Currently displaying the Palestinian colors alongside the Free Syria flag as of February 2025.
A Damascus facility managed by UNRWA for displaced children.
Family Heritage
Arwa's grandfather Said, was born in Palestine during the British mandate and had a British passport.
A picture of Arwa's family, from left to right: Her brother Lutfi, her mother Hala, her sister Alaa, her father Ahmad, her brother Mohammad and her grandmother Tamam.
Arwa's uncle Mohammad, a palestinian polititian, assassinated in 1983, a week after calling out corruption in the Fateh political party, and defecting to Abu Moussa's group.
Seeking Sanctuary in the UK
The displacement of Syrian refugees from Palestine began in 2016 following new mandates from the Lebanese government. Forced to return to a landscape of rubble, Arwa recalls, “we found everything destroyed. Checkpoints turned a ten-minute trip into six hours of fear; I remember a man firing into the air, boasting of his power over our lives.”
As a professional actress, Arwa faced political pressure to support the regime. Refusing to comply, she made the difficult choice to flee the war zone, sacrificing her home, family, career, and her dog, Jacko.
Though her family had lived in Syria since 1948, she lacked legal citizenship as a stateless Palestinian. Arwa sought asylum in the UK, drawing on her experience with the BBC and her heritage; her grandfather had held a British passport during the 1930s mandate, providing a slender connection to a new hope.
Fleeing forced displacement, Arwa trekked for weeks across Kurdistan, enduring the threat of rape and gunfire at the border. Seeking safety in Europe, she crossed the sea in a frail rubber boat before finally arriving to claim asylum in the UK in 2018.
Red: Refugee route from Erbil to Turkey by foot.
Black: Crossing from Turkey to Greece via rivers.
Green: Final flight to London.
Total duration: 56 days.
A poignant record from Arwa's archival footage, capturing her perilous trek from Syria to Greece to ensure her survival.
Acting Career
A professional refugee actress, Arwa honed her craft at the Higher Institute of Dramatic Arts in Damascus, graduating in 2011. Before displacement, she flourished in Syrian television, starring in acclaimed series like Zaman Al-Barghout, Naked Souls, and Soul’s Cry. She also performed in the film The Last Friend and classical plays including Hamlet. During her time in Lebanon, she continued her career in the series Al Arrab and the stage production Tachycardia, eventually lending her voice to the BBC radio version. Even through forced migration, her artistic dedication remained constant.
Photos:
Acting Production
Hamlet Staging
BBC Radio Performance
Life in London
Following nearly a year in the precarious state of the UK asylum system, Arwa finally secured refugee status. Despite the setbacks of the pandemic, she demonstrated immense resilience by establishing a new life in London. However, instability struck when she suddenly lost both her employment and housing through no fault of her own, revealing the hidden vulnerabilities many refugees face in the UK.
“This experience was more devastating than the conflict I fled,” Arwa explains. “The journey to reach safety didn’t leave me with trauma, but the experience of being homeless in London did. The shock of it is still hard to process.”
Arwa endured several nights sleeping rough on the streets of London before Streetlink intervened, securing her a place at a St Mungo’s hostel in October 2022. During this period of isolation in a new country, her only comfort was Jacko, her beloved golden retriever, who was brought to the UK by a dedicated animal charity to be by her side.
Reflecting on her resilience, Arwa and Jacko were photographed in 2022 during their time outside Ealing Council. Her journey from displacement to community leader was recognized when she was named ‘Asylum Seeker Ambassador,’ honoring her tireless volunteer work with local charities supporting fellow survivors.
Empowerment Through Drama Therapy
Taking the stage as Hecuba, Arwa leads the Trojan Women Project, utilizing drama therapy to empower displaced voices. She facilitates therapeutic workshops for refugees and asylum seekers, transitioning from group healing to powerful public performances in our charity's various theatrical productions.
Today, Arwa has found stability and love, married to Jonathan after they met at a London homeless shelter. Their journey from displacement to a shared life is a testament to the resilience of refugees. Read their moving story in the Daily Mail, and celebrate the birth of their son, Arthur.
Aid refugee healing arts
The Trojan Women Project provides vital drama therapy that helps women like Arwa process displacement trauma and find their voices. By donating to our charity, you fund safe spaces where refugees utilize performance to heal and reclaim their identities. Your support ensures their stories lead to long-term recovery.
Trojan Women is a Scottish Registered SCIO charity (charity number SC050525)
Refuge Media Productions CIC is an English registered community interest company (company number 09603714)
Contact Us
info@trojanwomenproject.org
charlotte.eagar@trojanwomenproject.org
william.stirling@trojanwomenproject.org
PHONE
07769603233