Page 79 - Javanan Issue #1892.indd

From The Desk Of The Editor ISSUE No. 1890
JAVANAN
Faizi from Iran that maybe this time I would come back
The fake educational insti- with Afsaneh. As soon as I arrived, I

tute took my daughter went to that hotel. The hotel was located
in an unsafe area with strange suspi-
to the brink of death! cious people going in and out of there.
I went into the hotel. "Have you
booked?" Someone asked me.
Your daughter will go to universi- I showed him Afsaneh's photo. "I'm
ty and stay in the dormitory from looking for this girl," I said.
the second week of next month." He stared at me. “You better leave. We
Afraid of the consequences of are not looking for trouble here."
the delay, I deposited the re- I came out of there with my heart beat-
quested amount the next morn- ing fast in my chest. I sat in an old coffee
eading the report of lost ing and waited for further house in front of the hotel and watched
Iranian women in Turkey, emails. But for two weeks, the hotel doors intently. Within six
Rprompted me to send you there was no news from them. hours, I had about 60 cups of tea. My
the painful story of my 25-year-old We sent an email to the site, eyes were blurry, my heart was beating
daughter. I know that this magazine but it was closed. We went to and I felt nauseous. Suddenly, I saw a
is read online not only by Iranians the Istanbul police. we went woman who had a face similar to my
abroad, but also by thousands of to speak to the university. Afsaneh, but was very skinny and bro-
people in Iran. No one knew the institution. ken. A man was helping her to walk. I
The story of Afsaneh, my daughter, We did not sleep that night fell to the ground twice trying to reach
started about four and a half years and my daughter cried until them. When I got to them, I quickly
ago. My daughter was looking to morning. We felt like we took Afsaneh's hand.
study abroad. My brother in London were the victims of a huge She turned to me. "Who are you?" She
tried hard to make this happen, but un- scam. We called Iran and said in Turkish. Unexpectedly, the man
fortunately, it didn't work out. One day, explained the matter to the punched me in the face. My face was
Afsaneh informed me that a big online police. Why did you take full of blood.
educational institution helps those inter- such an action without As if she had regained her senses, Af-
ested in studying in the USA. She said any valid information? saneh pushed the man and came to-
unlike others who only promise and do they blamed us. wards me. "Daddy!" she shouted. "Why
nothing, they get admission from the Finally, I asked my did you come here? I wanted this place
best US universities within two years. failed caravan to return to be my grave."
"This institution provides this possibil- to Iran. I hugged my daughter, who was shaking
ity through legal steps." She said. "I won't come back un- badly, and took her to the same hotel we
"How?" I asked. tan- der any circumstances," Afsaneh said. were in before. As soon as we entered,
“I'll have to read the whole rules in their bul University. "I'll be ashamed in front of friends and she fell on the bed and almost passed
site tonight, you know. We've to pay 150 The further we went, the more we be- acquaintances." out.
dollars even to read and fill out the ques- lieved in the validity of the institution. "What are you going to do in this coun- I stayed awake until the next morn-
tionnaire." We regularly confirmed their emails and try?" I asked. ing. I wish no parent experiences such
"Don't waste time. If you think it's a sent them the necessary documents. Out "I'll find a job and become a refugee. I'll moments in their life. When the first
reliable institution, we'll arrange this of love for my daughter and her future, go Europe or the US." sunlight brightened the room, Afsaneh
tonight." I immediately paid for the 4-month stay We had an intense argument. The next opened her eyes. She suddenly jumped
I told myself that an institution that asks in the dormitory. We received an email morning when we woke up, there was up and ran to the door. "I didn't want you
for only 150 dollars instead of asking that even had pictures of my daughter's no news of Afsaneh. For two weeks, we to see me like this." She said. "I've been
for several thousand dollars and goes room in the dormitory with the possibil- looked for her and waited. Going to the dead for a long time. I just walk and
through legal procedures, must be expe- ity of using the restaurant and gym. police did not get us anywhere. Disap- breathe for no reason."
rienced and reliable. Two months later, I went to Istanbul pointed and defeated, my wife and I re- She told me that a smuggler took all her
That night, we deposited 150 dollars with my wife and daughter. We were turned to Iran. money and boarded a boat with 150 oth-
into their account. The site was set up waiting to receive new instructions After that, no matter how hard we tried, er people to take them to Germany. But
based on accurate information; Among when an e-mail came telling us that we could not contact Afsaneh. Even halfway the boat sank and ten people
other things, if one of the family mem- though I went to Istanbul twice in one died. Those who were saved have been
bers was a cultural applicant, she would we should go to one of the university year, I didn't get any sign of her. returned to Turkey.
have a 15 percent discount. It was ex- departments so that the work could be About eight months ago, an old ac- "I worked in a restaurant, I worked in
plained on the site: the applicant must done there. We went to the department quaintance called me. a factory, I had to live with an old Arab
go to Istanbul and enroll in the universi- and a lady told us that she received our "Where is Afsaneh?" he asked. man and then I arrived at this hotel." She
ty. Within two years, all her educational request via email. They gave us a ques- "She went abroad to study," I said. said. "I wish you'd let me die here."
qualifications will be sent to the best tionnaire to fill out and we went back "Are you sure?" For three days, I strengthened her with
universities and the possibility of admis- to the hotel. I was a little confused as "Why do you ask?" medicine and food and gave her hope.
sion with the benefit of scholarships will to why there was a need to fill out the "I'm sorry to say this, but I saw a lady Finally, despite her resistance, we re-
be provided. Finally, after two years, the questionnaire again. with Afsaneh's features in an infamous turned to Iran. When we entered the
applicant will go to the USA to study. That night, a man called and said he hotel." house, Afsaneh fell to her knees in front
Half of the tuition fees at Istanbul Uni- was from the institute. "Did you get the "Where? Give me the address." of her mother and passed out. We had
versity must be paid in advance. The rest questionnaire?" he asked. "I'll text you." to take her to the hospital. After all this
will be paid by the university when the "Yes." The phone fell from my hand. I felt sick time, she still doesn't feel normal and
scholarship comes. In addition, the cost "You don't need to fill it out. We have and we went to the hospital that night. spends the nights crying until the morn-
of staying in the dormitory for 4 months done it for you. You must pay the ex- I did not tell my wife what happened. ing.
must be paid. The rest will be paid by Is- penses of the first 6 months in advance. Soon, I left for Turkey under the pretext Translation: Massi Zokaei
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