A Place To Call Home

Would you open your home to a stranger? In the midst of Europe’s refugee crisis, Aubrey Wade photographed families who’ve welcomed displaced people in need. The portraits tell a story of compassion, humanity and hope

Germany

The Jellinek family host Syrian Muslim Kinan (above, centre), a refugee from Damascus.

Every Friday evening, the Jellinek family gather for Shabbat dinner. Since 2015, their weekly tradition has included Kinan, 28, a Syrian Muslim refugee, who now introduces himself as a Berliner. “Integration is not something that we should only ask from people coming into our country, we should ask this of ourselves, too,” says father Chaim Jellinek. Adds Kinan: “People should forget the past a bit and only look forward.”

Sweden

Single mother Linnea Tell (right) hosts Syrian refugee Alqumit Alhamad.

Gay artist Alqumit, 24, fled northern Syria in 2012 when Islamic State made the city their headquarters. His friends were tortured and many homosexuals were thrown to their deaths off buildings. Arriving in Sweden in 2016, ”I can’t tell you how much my life changed and how free I feel here,” he says. “The people, the support, the safety, it’s incredible – especially for a gay person from the Arab world.”

Austria

Sabine, Dominique and daughter Nora host Afghan refugees Nooria and Aysu.