Accused without trial, a refugee had no way to plead his innocence—until a Tarjimly translator stepped in. This is the story of how one conversation changed everything.
Sule*, a South Sudanese refugee, was trapped in a prison cell, accused of a crime he didn’t commit. No trial. No lawyer. No way to defend himself—because no one spoke his language.
Then, a community translator from Tarjimly picked up the call.
Esam Siddig had been translating with Tarjimly since June 2024, helping individuals navigate critical moments in their lives. But on this particular day, he found himself in the middle of a conversation that could determine a man’s fate.
Esam connected with Sule, trapped in a prison cell. Detained without trial, Sule’s plea was simple: “Tell him I didn’t steal…. I just want to go home.” Esam translated every word between Sule and the prison official, ensuring that Sule’s plea was heard exactly as he intended it. The back-and-forth with the prison official was long and tense. Then, finally, the words that changed everything:
"The evidence is insufficient. You are being released."
Sule cried with relief. Esam sat quietly afterward, realizing his translation had just helped free an innocent man.
Stories like this show why Tarjimly matters. It’s not just about language or translation—it’s about fairness, hope, and fighting for those who need it. For Esam, every translation is a chance to make the world a little kinder. And for Sule? It was the day he got his life back.
*Name has been changed for privacy.
