This fundraiser is to support Salman, a Kurdish Refugee from Syria, in opening a pizzeria in Lesvos, Greece. I met him when I was volunteering for European Lawyers in Lesvos (ELIL) where Salman works as an interpreter. He left a lasting impression on me with his optimism, ability to learn fast, empathy and unwavering drive to make something of his life

Salman is an amazing cook and was always talking about wanting to open his own restaurant. He had even found someone in Mytilene, the beautiful capital of Lesvos, who is willing to sell him a fully equipped restaurant if he could come up with the money. I was thinking of ways to help, and my daughter Savanna, who met him when she visited, suggested that together we try to fundraise back in the UK. I have no doubt that if we succeed in doing this, he will work all hours to make it a success. The project will also benefit other refugees on Lesvos, not just through his plans to employ them, but in drawing closer the refugee community to the local community and being a wonderful example of positive integration.

Before I go on, I want to acknowledge that I know there are thousands of deserving causes and charities calling for support, especially with the ongoing conflict in Gaze and even here in the UK the growing pressures on many communities. However, this fundraiser is a unique opportunity to directly support an individual’s dream; it will not get diluted in the cost of distribution. Even just £10 or £20 will go entirely to Salman’s project, helping fulfil his dream and benefit others in his community.

Below you will find a message from him:

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My name is Salman. I’m Kurdish and a stateless person living in Greece.

I was born in Syria to a Syrian mother and a stateless father, which meant I had no right to education and could never go to school. I have four sisters and three brothers.

I arrived in Greece in 2016. When I got here, I could only speak Kurdish and Arabic. I lived in a refugee camp for one year and eight months. During that time, I started learning English and began volunteering with different organisations that support refugees. In 2023, I became an interpreter for ELIL, where I met Nicola in 2024.

Being an interpreter was never my dream, but I’ve done it for many reasons. I know how much people need help to communicate, and it’s very important that everyone has someone to help explain their rights.

But before any of this, I worked in a bakery. I started young and have always loved being next to the oven - it feels like home to me. I’ve learned so much from different people in different kitchens, and now, after nine years of interpreting, I want to follow my own dream and do something for myself. I want to open my own restaurant.

This dream is not just for myself, but to create jobs - especially for women refugees in the local camp who are allowed to work but cannot find it. I want to build something that brings people together, offers good food, and gives others a chance to feel proud of what they do.

The restaurant will be called HAVIR, the Kurdish work for ‘dough’.

I’m ready to put all my love and energy into this. Thank you for supporting my journey!

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Salman’s story is one of resilience and determination. Like many other refugees, his childhood and adult journey has been very difficult, leaving his home and loved ones and living in limbo. This project would offer him a chance to put down roots and build something meaningful - not only for himself, but for his community.

As he mentioned in his message, he intends to staff it from refugees living in the local camp. In Greece, asylum seekers are legally allowed to work once they receive their asylum registration card, even before their applications are fully processed. Yet many remain unemployed and disconnected from society. Salman is especially eager to hire women from the refugee camp in Lesvos, who often face the greatest barriers to employment. His pizzeria would help bridge divides between the local community, refugees, and tourists - bringing people together around something universally loved: a good meal.

We initially looked at taking over an existing operating pizzeria. However, after some thought and investigation we have decided to take a lease on a vacant appropriate building and fit it out ourselves. Indeed Salman can do a lot of this work himself. We view this as a lower risk approach and moreover we think can get the project of the ground for £25,000 rather £30,000 we initially target.

Salman promises you a free pizza if you decide to visit the beautiful island of Lesvos!

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