Help me back to work as a photographer

I was a victim of torture spending 8 months in Al-Mezzeh Prison, one of the Syrian torture chambers. This in 2012. I survived the most horrific conditions and methods of torture. The reason for detaining me was because of me filming and live streaming the demonstrations in Ghouta to the news channel Aljazeera among others.

I was released from prison at the end of 2012, and 3 months later I married the love of my life... Afraa! She brought our 2 beautiful sons Muhammad and Marwan to this world. The situation got worse day by day in Eastern Ghouta.

On February 25, 2016 me and Afraa finally decided that it was time for her and the boys to leave. I had decided to stay and help in Ghouta. To give a voice to the people living inside the besieged area by telling their stories and show the war crimes committed. Something the world needed to see.

That evening in February Afraa managed to flee with Muhammad and Marwan in her arms. Later they got to Lebanon where they still are today.

The situation in Ghouta got even worse, and there was no way out. Therefor I was forced to stay until April 2018, when I finally got to Idlib with the Green Busses. From there I managed to go to Istanbul where I am today. Today I haven't seen my wife and children for 3 years.

We are separated by borders and strict policies. A reunion is not possible at this moment. Unfortunately...

I want to empower myself and be able to work as a photographer once again. To earn a living and to be able to help support my family in Lebanon. Maybe even make savings to be able to get us back together some day.

I need your help... I sold and lost all my equipment when I fled Syria.

With your help I can get back to work and start support myself and my family in Lebanon.

The donations will be used on buying a camera, a lens, SD-cards and other equipment needed to be able to work with my profession again.

Thanks for your support and kind help.

Yours sincerely,
Salem Mdlala