The German newspaper Süd Kurier has published the story of a Chechen refugee family in Hegau, Germany.

Here is the article from the German newspaper:

Visitors feel equally welcome in the Alaro family’s pretty little house. The atmosphere is warm and cozy, the taste of coffee is great. “Our daughters friends are also happy to spend time with us” says Hava, the Chechen mother. No wonder. There is a good spirit in the Alaro home. Five sisters, Samira (18 years old), Ludmila (16 years old), Milana (13 years old), Aina (11 years old) and Salina (9 years old) are sitting at the dining table and helping each other with their homework. Ten month old Damir is belted into his baby stroller in the hall.

Salina is still in primary school and the four older girls are attending Hegau High School. They are very good at their lessons. “I don’t mix anything. They must learn to do everything by themselves,” says the mother.

The family came from Chechnya to Germany nine years ago for political reasons, and today they are the perfect example of successful integration. “We are at home here. We don’t want to leave here. We have even been granted German citizenship already. But we speak the Chechen language with our mother so as not to forget our mother language” says Aina. She is just in the sixth grade. This eleven year old girl loves to learn new things. In school, she has only had good experiences with classmates, teachers, and subjects. She is also attending gymnastics twice a week. “I do it professionally,” she says. These are not all of her activities, though. She also helps her mother at home with her sisters. “Aina cannot say no. But all of my daughters are helping me out a lot. I am very proud of them,” says the mother.

Ludmila is 16 year old and attending tenth grade at Hegau High School. In just over half a year, she has become the European Champion in Sanda, a Chinese martial art. In preparation for the competitions, the competitors train a few hours everyday after school. “My family, my school, sports and my friends. I have no other interests,” says Ludmila.

When the mother, Hava starts to talk, her girls listen carefully. The Muslim woman avowed that she has raised her children with faith in Allah. “We must know our limits. Everything that we do well, we will get back someday,” says Hava. Previously she worked as a teacher, but she is currently not working because of her maternity. In her homeland, she was a math teacher. After she came from Chechnya to Germany, she studied all over again to get permission to work and a diploma. You may have questions about how her husband Dalambek, who works as a self-employed craftsman, greet these ideas. Well, he actively supports his wife.

At the end of a very pleasant conversation, Hava Alaro opened her heart. “We have very, very good friends. Carsten and Ulrike Thole from Rielasingen always supported us. They were here for us always. Can you mention their names in the article?” she asks with sparkling eyes.

Andreas Schuler
Süd Kuriel – 18.03.2011

*Text was translated by Waynakh Online and edited by Michael Capobianco