A CHAT WITH THE BOYS
The boys at the Faros home remind me of other teenage boys I've worked with - some shy, some outgoing, many of them engaged with their phones and curious about their place in the world. Javed* in particular reminded me of a business man - he made entertaining conversation with me although he spoke only a bit of English, and I kept running into him out and about in Athens.
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Interview and photography by Talitha Brauer. Editing by Becca Ashton.
Javed* from Iran
What’s your name? – Javed.
And how old are you? – Twelve.
Twelve! You’re twelve. And tell me one thing interesting about you.
– I make the best game - I mimic very well.
Yes, you do. What’s your favorite hobby? Or your sport, or whatever.
Translator: The sport is eh…--
Javed: Good.
Translator: Very good.
Staff Member: Yeah, you are very good. (Everyone laughs).
Hassan* from Afghanistan
Can you tell me your name? – My name is Hassan.
And how old are you? – Fourteen.
And where are you from? – Afghanistan.
Can you tell me something interesting about yourself? – I would like to have my own tailor shop.
Aha. And what do you like the best about tailoring? – Working with the sewing machine.
Your personality: would you describe yourself as shy, or outgoing, or funny, or serious? – I’m very funny.
And what do you like to do for fun? Like, what’s your favorite fun activity? – I like to joke, and make jokes with other guys.
Amin* from Afghanistan
– I want to become a football – ah, football player.
You want to be a football player? And, can you tell me your name? – My name is Amin.
And how old are you? – I am fifteen.
Fifteen. You’re from? … – Afghanistan.
Afghanistan. And you want to be a football player when you grow up. And what is your personality like? Quiet? Outgoing? – I’m funny.
You’re also funny? All you guys are so funny. And what do you do for fun? – We play different games with friends.
What is your favorite thing about Athens? – Just going with friends for football.
(*names changed)
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