My name is Tarek. I’m 35 years old, living in Italy, and trying my best to hold myself together.
For years now, I’ve been struggling with several chronic illnesses that affect every part of my daily life: asthma, a herniated disc, depression, panic disorder, social anxiety, IBS, stomach ulcer, acid reflux, scoliosis, sleep disorders, dry eye syndrome, and other long-term conditions that have taken a heavy toll on me.
These health issues have made normal life incredibly difficult and have nearly taken away my ability to work.

But before all of this… I was a different person.
Back home — before the illnesses, before the trauma — I was active, hardworking, positive, and full of ambition.
Everything changed the moment I had to flee the war in my country.

I went to East Germany seeking asylum.
Instead, I found years of racism, isolation, and psychological pressure in refugee camps that are so far from the  cities.
Those wounds eventually grew into the mental and physical illnesses I’m living with now.

When I contracted a group of illnesses simultaneously, both psychological and physical 2020

After six long years, my asylum request was rejected.
I lost basic rights. I lost stability. I lost even the simple joys of life.
I later spent two years in the Netherlands, but my asylum request was rejected again.

I came to Italy hoping for a real chance at safety.
Italy grants asylum, but my process is currently blocked because of the Dublin fingerprint law and the difficulty of obtaining a residence address.
For the past six months, I haven’t received any financial assistance at all.
Living day to day has become extremely hard.

My medical situation requires a very strict diet:
Low FODMAP + Gluten-Free + Lactose-Free.
This diet is expensive, and Caritas doesn’t always provide the food I need.
My health insurance doesn’t cover all my medications either.
On top of that, I still have installment debts for previous purchases, debts that I can’t pay now because I’m unable to work.

My goal right now is simple, but life-changing.
I want to cover my medical treatment, my special diet, my bills, and my remaining debts.
And I want to start a small online business (E-commerce) that I can run from home without physical strain — something that can give me stability and dignity again.

Any support — even the smallest amount — makes a real difference.
Your help gives me a bit of hope, a bit of strength, and a chance to rebuild my life.

I will always pray for you from the bottom of my heart
Thank you to everyone who reads, shares, or supports this campaign in any way.