GV Wire Special: Thafer's Escape from Syria

By David Taub, Senior Reporter

Published 7 years ago on

January 13, 2017

In the next installment of GV Wire’s series on the Syiran crisis, we share the story of Thafer Kashak, a refugee from Homs. Once a thriving businessman, he fled his home country when the Civil War invaded his hometown.

Watch Thafer’s (pronounced ZAH-fer) story as he made a daring trek into Jordan after a 15 hour ordeal in the desert. Hear about the harsh conditions in the Zaatari Refugee Camp and how Thafer decided that this was no place for his family.

Thafer tells of the daring escape out of the refugee camp. Unable to find work while living in Jordan, Thafer received a call of a lifetime from the United Nations, asking him if he would like to be resettled.

Eventually, the Kashak family arrived in Fresno. His children attend local school. His teenage son even took up football. Thafer is appreciative of the peace and freedom living in America provides.

READ/WATCH PART 1: The Syrian Conflict

Writer/narrator: David Taub

Editor: Roe Borunda

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David Taub,

Senior Reporter

Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email