Mohammed, My Buddyguard
UNHCR/Jared Kohler

"He was a stone-thrower – invader of official UN spaces – cutting through our fences faster than we could fix them—a naughty little boy running with the little gangsters around the Za’atri main gate. Then there was the day I decided to run after him – caught him – and he pulled his pocket knife. He missed. Maybe he got scared of his own courage to take on that big German and decided to fail.
I decided to talk to him: a talk man to man, a talk from a father to a son and also a talk from the cop to the little gangster. And suddenly his face changed. He became a little boy, scared to be punished and afraid to be taken to the police. I pitied him. I decided to have him work for me; I decided to turn him from an enemy to a friend. I offered him a deal. Protect me and we will be friends. Protect me against your fellow kids throwing stones and harassing me and I will protect you with my friendship.
Mohammed agreed to the deal. He has become my protector and my friend and he does it with a smile. His face has changed from a grim street-gang kid to a pleasant boy who is proud to have a big friend! I have a big smile as I can walk without being harassed – now his friends are smiling at me and they are all my friends!
And I am no longer afraid."

Kilian Kleinschmidt, UNHCR, Camp Manager, Za’atri Refugee Camp, near Mafraq, Jordan.


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