Thanks to the COMIDE project, Slovakia joins the ranks of EU countries that want to link migration policy with development aid. The goal is to increase the effectiveness of development aid, as well as to better use the potential offered by migrants from third countries.

The European Union is based on the assumption that migrants know the conditions in the country of origin better than workers from non-governmental organizations, who visit third countries only a few weeks or months before the actual implementation of the project.

Slovakia also has such potential, which is why it should take advantage of migrants' interest in events in their country of origin to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of development aid. One of the successful examples where it can be seen that it works is an Afghan living in Slovakia, a graduate of the FiF UK Department of Journalism, Mohammad Azim Farhadi. He came to Bratislava more than fifteen years ago as a political refugee, today he tries to help people with a similar experience. He implemented two development aid projects, today he is dedicated to helping and integrating foreigners in Slovakia. "If Slovaks recognize a foreigner, he is their best friend," says Azim

When you decided to leave Afghanistan, was it easy? Did you have any problems? I didn't want to leave until the last moment. Even though I was in the war, I thought it would be over soon and everything would be normal.

Do you remember what was the final straw when you said to yourself "I have to go"? My relatives went to the north of Afghanistan, I stayed in Kabul, I said that I was guarding the apartment and the house. For a month or two, my friends and I slept upstairs in the apartment every evening, and during the day we went downstairs to the basement, where we played cards. That got on our nerves after a while. That's when we thought we'd play and sing, at least change our daily routine. At that time, the Taliban surrounded Kabul and there was heavy fighting, they were shooting people. We didn't know that on that very day the Taliban occupied the city, they were about a kilometer away from us. While we were playing, singing and dancing in the basement, bearded Taliban broke into the apartment and asked who played it. We couldn't lie.

What happened next? They told us that we are children of communists, that we think differently and that our life will change from today. Then a soldier grabbed my finger and broke it. The boy who played the accordion had four of them broken... They punished us like that for playing. We couldn't even go to the hospital because of the fighting. That's when I decided to leave and that evening I left Afghanistan.

Did you know what the situation was with us? Slovakia was a relatively young country at the time. Yes, I knew who the president was, how many people Slovakia has, what religion you follow. I had a certain idea. My brother also studied during communism in the Czech Republic, then in Czechoslovakia. I received many postcards from Prague, I had a photo of the singer Bartošová. And I also liked Karel Gott, although I didn't know what he was singing about. (laughter)

When you left the refugee camp, did you have to fend for yourself? Yes, that was something else. I didn't want to keep burdening my friend, I always kept her as a last chance in case something didn't work out. Today, the police and the authorities know what to do, but when I came to Trnava at the employment office, it was all a Spanish village for the female officials. They didn't know what to do with me, I didn't speak Slovak, I didn't study here...

You didn't study Slovak until then? In the camp, I studied for about thirty minutes a day, but that was only two months. I mixed Russian into it and somehow I already got along. It was more about the fact that Slovakia was a new state, there was no law on some things, or even when they had a law, the officials did not pay attention to it.

Did you get a job in Trnava for the first time? Yes, I had a sublet apartment and worked in a supermarket in Šala. I was there for almost two years. Then I started to study college.

What attracted you to journalism? I don't even know. My friend was probably to blame. Back in Afghanistan, we wrote in a regional weekly about places where there is dirt, we took pictures of them, developed the photos, which were then published with the article. My friend was a year older than me, he wrote better, he had a very good style. He led me to it.

How do you remember your student days in Bratislava? It was very nice. First, I went to a language school, and then we were accepted to the journalism department. I had a big problem with Slovak, Dr. Škvareninová wanted to kick me out of the exam twice. (laughter)

Were you the only foreigner there? No, there were five of us foreigners in the year. Some did not pass their exams, another did not come to school after the first month. In the end there were three of us.

After graduation, you were said to be planning to return to Afghanistan. I wanted to leave Afghanistan only temporarily, I told myself that as long as I managed to finish my studies, the war would end. However, all my acquaintances, friends and parents told me that it would not be good there. Then I myself started thinking that I would stay here, that it would be better for me. I thought to myself that I might be able to carry out a project in Afghanistan within the framework of development aid and various funds.

And it worked. Here I met different people and since then we have done two projects in Afghanistan. We basically restored television in my hometown. We trained journalists both in Slovakia and in Afghanistan. I think all this was more beneficial than going back home. Now it would be difficult for me to come to an agreement with the people, with the Afghans.

How are Slovaks different from Afghans? Afghans are very critical of themselves, what I like about Slovaks is that they take many things differently. I know Afghan guys who have been in Slovakia for twenty or thirty years, but their mentality is already in their blood. They haven't changed in some things. I would say that Europeans are a little better than us.

Better at what? In opinions on some issues. For example, Slovaks give their child more options, we hinder them more. Afghans, on the other hand, value parents and family more, that is important to us. It certainly exists in Slovakia as well, but here it is the most important thing.

What was it like to experience Slovak culture? I was prepared for your culture because as a teenager I lived in an area where I had a similar life. We went to discos, people dressed nicely, there were many Europeans. Besides Islam, I also knew other religions. So I knew approximately what awaited me. But then there were things I had never seen before. For example, when I was in church, people prayed and shook my hand.

Did you go to church out of curiosity? Also out of curiosity, but only when, for example, someone died and there was a funeral, it was in the church.

What is the Afghan community like in Slovakia? There are about 230-240 of us. I think the Afghan community is the most active. If we do events, whether during holidays or cultural events, a hundred Afghans, two hundred Slovaks and various other people will come. We also invite representatives of embassies and the like. I think that we are the most integrated community, if I do not take into account the states neighboring Slovakia, or the states close to it religiously.

What do you like in Slovakia? I like Christmas very much. I try to have the tree even before others build it. I like Christmas Eve, dinner, fish, salad... Cabbage must be without sausage, of course. I just love the Christmas atmosphere, especially when it's snowing.

Do you like Bryndza gnocchi? Yes, but without the bacon. (laughter)

Have you walked Slovakia? Is there a place you like? Slovakia as a country is generally very nice. However, I like nature more than cities, it fascinates me the most. From the Carpathians, through the Tatras, to eastern Slovakia. Every year we go as a group to a cottage or somewhere in nature. I like that very much.

You have been here for many years. Did you experience with the Slovaks things like joining the European Union, or when we were world champions in hockey? Of course. I'm a big hockey fan, even if they're not winning right now. I am also a fan of football, I played it actively. I live it all, cheer and always shout Slovakia.

Do you remember the first time you felt that you were already fully a member of society? Once an acquaintance came to me, a foreigner who lives in a small town and was angry with people. He suffered from not being respected. That's when I told him it was his turn to show he wasn't evil. He himself has to make people accept him. I live in Bratislava, in a big city, I can't prove to everyone whether I'm good or bad. There are many foreigners here, the people of Bratislava perceive it differently.

Have you encountered racism, xenophobia? I wouldn't say. Once when I was fouled at football, a guy told me it was because I was dark. But I don't believe that. It's just the emotion of victory, even if it was brother against brother, they foul each other.

You work in a civic association that integrates migrants into society with the help of television broadcasts. What's your feedback? Mostly young people who write an email respond. It's more positive than negative. Of course, we also get negative feedback, but that's everywhere. For example, once a gentleman called us, a Roma from eastern Slovakia, asking about a foreigner from Pakistan, about whom we broadcast and who had a lot of problems here. And he told me: We Slovaks are such that we don't know who to help and who not to. The gentleman from Pakistan, however, needs help. And he offered to help him with the chores around the house.

When you compare Slovakia after those years, do you see a change in the attitude of Slovaks towards foreigners? I think it is difficult when Slovaks, especially older people, do not know a foreigner. Some Muslims are taken as terrorists, Russians are taken as mobsters and so on. They are under pressure from the media. But when they meet a stranger, he is their best friend. But then again they say that our foreigner neighbor is good, but other foreigners are so-and-so.

Have you had this experience? No, I just perceive it that way, that's how it is in Slovakia. But thanks to God, I think it's getting better and better over the years. As for the attitude towards foreigners, it is going in a good direction. International organizations have seminars, congresses, they invite policemen, people from labor offices, health and social insurance companies. They train them about foreigners.

So is this a move for the better? It is definitely better than five, six years ago. Thanks to the Ministry of the Interior and organizations that work in Slovakia as part of the integration of foreigners, the police are now more informed. In addition to foreigners, we also try to involve the majority, Slovaks, foreign police and labor offices in the broadcast. We try to get their comments into our show. And, for example, based on our posts and questions, they find out new things that they didn't know before.

Can you imagine ever returning to Afghanistan permanently? If I could do something good for people, then yes, I would be willing. There is really great poverty in the country. Just last year it was terribly cold, people lived in tents, children had no shoes. Even now, as a model, I have packed one suitcase full of shoes, which I take there for them. I called the girl who goes with me if she has a lot of things, that I would also pack some children's shoes for her.

Have you ever regretted coming to Slovakia? I have never regretted, I am happy here. I always said thanks to Slovakia and Slovaks that I came here. I understand that if I had stayed in Afghanistan, I would already have a wife, ten children and no school around me. I could study in Slovakia, I have a job. I'm glad to be here.

More: www.comide.eu