Amir was born in Iran. When he was four years old, he made his first big move with his family to Afghanistan. There, he put down roots and grew up to be a person who loves to create and express himself through the arts.

In Afghanistan, Amir was a photographer with his own studio, produced films and acted in theatre plays. 

But in August 2021 everything changed. As the Taliban seized control of the country, his work suddenly became dangerous. When they detained him while he was documenting Afghanistan’s violent transformation, Amir realised that staying was no longer an option.

Amir was forced to make the decision to move once more, to a place that could provide him safety.

His last day in Kabul remains a vivid memory for him. 

“I still remember that day, standing in the airport with my brother and nephews, surrounded by thousands of desperate people. There was no water to drink, and the price of a single bottle had skyrocketed. Soldiers eventually filled our bottles from a sink, and people were jumping just to get a sip. It was chaos. On the other side of the fence, those who had documents were moving through, leaving behind those still hoping, still waiting. That moment marked the last time I stood on Afghan soil.’’ 

That day, Amir’s family was separated. He and his brother made it to the UK, while his parents and two sisters fled to Iran. Another sister went to the Netherlands, one to Canada, and another to the US. They haven’t been together since.

“I miss them every single day, and I keep fighting for the moment we can be together again.’’

Resettling in the UK was challenging for Amir. “Adjusting to life here was like learning to walk all over again. I was completely alone—no friends, no family, no idea how things worked. What’s legal? What’s illegal? How do you find yourself in a place that feels so foreign?”

For the first six months, everything felt scary and unfamiliar. Even crossing the street was terrifying—he didn’t know the rules. It seemed impossible to rebuild the life he had lost.

Amir still uses his cameras to pursue a filmmaking career and dreams of winning an Oscar one day. In this picture, Amir holds his camera while wearing rings gifted by his mother, whom he hasn’t seen since they were forced to leave Afghanistan in August 2021. 

After half a year of living in the UK, Amir starts working with Good Chance. Good Chance, a Porticus partner, is a non-profit organisation that creates opportunities for artists who have migrated to tell their stories through art and theatre. Through these productions, they work to change the narrative. 

“There was a time when my dreams stayed in Afghanistan, and I thought I had to give up on them. I found a new way of dreaming by being part of the Good Chance community. In Afghanistan, there's no music anymore. But at Good Chance there’s music. In Afghanistan, there was no community for me; there is no culture or art anymore. But there is a community for me in the UK. I want to believe there is hope.”

While working at Good Chance, Amir produces theatre plays, is a photographer and makes films to tell stories about people forced to move. “In the UK, many people have a narrow image of migrants. Some think we come here to take and not to give. But we left everything behind—our families, friends, childhoods—to start from nothing. I want to change that perception.” 

“Refugees are not just statistics. We are doctors, teachers, artists, engineers. We are mothers and fathers. We are also part of this place and the future of this country. And we are here to build, to contribute, to belong.”

Amir’s first collaboration with Good Chance was for an initiative called Fly with Me. This project brought the traditional Afghan craft of kite-flying in a festival with music, poetry and dance across 47 countries in Europe and North America.

At Porticus, we support leadership by and for migrant communities to promote their participation, contribution and dignity in increasingly challenging global contexts.

Refugee and migrant-led initiatives, such as the ones supported by Good Chance, contribute to greater understanding between people on the move and their host communities. These initiatives help people on the move be visible, connect within and across communities, and build solutions.

Did you know?

• Around 43.7 million people are currently classified as refugees worldwide.
• New social connections and opportunities to join cultural and community events are key to helping people resettle.

Find out more

Learn more about how Porticus supports people on the move here.

All pictures were taken by Suleika Mueller, represented by Artworld Agency.