The town of Zamalka, once a bustling suburb in Eastern Ghouta near Damascus, now lies in ruins - a silent witness to years of war, yet amid the rubble, a quiet resurgence unfolds as Syrian refugees return to reclaim shattered lives on this scarred land.
Abdullah Rahman, now 40 years old, fled Syria for Egypt during the Syrian civil war and has just returned to Zamalka this year.
"No one leaves their country willingly, especially during war. We were forced to flee. First, we were psychologically broken - our lives shattered. I never imagined going to these countries in my lifetime. We have suffered a lot. No Syrian left the motherland without suffering," said Abdullah.
He was 28 when he left Syria. His daughter, born in Egypt, has never met his family, which prompted him to return to his homeland despite its devastation.
Abdullah's greatest wish now is to find a stable job and support his family of four through his own efforts. Thousands of Syrians are seeking a sense of belonging amidst the ruins and striving for dignity and a future through reconstruction. Although they may never return to their former homes, they hold steadfast to the belief that their homeland will once again become a true "home".
Syrian refugees return home to rebuild life on dust
Syrian refugees return home to rebuild life on dust
