Stories of Love for Family, Home and New Beginnings

When refugees are forced to flee from home, they must leave everything behind. Many lose their possessions, their homes and sometimes even their loved ones. But all the loss they face does not stop them from holding onto loving relationships and hope for a brighter future. These four stories show how love can carry refugees through the most challenging times and bring them toward new beginnings.

Ilzaoli

Ilzaoli Martínez loves her children and only wants the best for them. But she was forced to flee her home country and has struggled to provide for her children since resettling. 

Ilzaoli is originally from Venezuela but was forced to flee in 2019 after the humanitarian crisis in the country worsened. Ilzaoli and her children walked for days before arriving in Otavalo, a city in northern Ecuador. 

When Gabriel, Ilzaoli’s 11-year-old son, first enrolled in school in his new home, the transition was difficult. Gabriel wasn’t able to finish school before leaving Venezuela and had to repeat second grade in Ecuador. In addition to adjusting to a new school environment and repeating a grade, he faced discrimination from his classmates. 

Ilzaoli was heartbroken seeing Gabriel struggling at school. She researched alternative options to ensure he would have every opportunity to thrive in his new environment. She decided to enroll him in Sarance School, one of the 185 schools participating in ‘Respiramos Inclusión’ (“We Breathe Inclusion”), a program implemented by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, in Ecuador to prevent discrimination and xenophobia in the education system. 

After just four months at the Sarance School, Ilzaoli could see a drastic change in his mood and behavior. “At the beginning, Gabriel did not speak much. In Venezuela, we always had to keep our children isolated due to violence and insecurity, so here they were afraid of talking, of going out.” Ilzaoli shares. “Now they chat with friends and have integrated.”

Although Gabriel has  new friends and is learning in a safe environment now, Ilzaoli still worries about covering school expenses for him and his siblings. “They had to wear a uniform, they had to have their school supplies, and it was quite difficult for us because sometimes we didn't have $30 USD for the rent.” 

Despite their limited funds, Ilzaoli wants the best for Gabriel and his siblings and will do everything in her power to ensure they can continue to follow their dreams. 

“Education is the inheritance that parents can give to their children. Gabriel always tells me that he wants to be a veterinarian. He has dreams and, through education, I want to help him achieve them.”

Siaka

Siaka Manirafasha is a well respected entrepreneur in the Kalobeyei refugee settlement. But what motivates him isn’t respect from his neighbors, it’s the love he has for his siblings. 

Siaka is originally from Rwanda but was forced to flee the country with his siblings at a young age. After losing his parents, he became the main provider for his family and realized he would need to make sacrifices to support his siblings. "I am an orphan, I was not able to attend campus because I had no money for fees," he says.

Although Siaka couldn’t complete his education, he refused to let that dictate his or his family’s future. At just 27 years old, Siaka now owns multiple businesses with the support of a private partner, Inkomoko, that recognized his potential. 

Since his startup became a success, he has continued to receive several loans and now advocates for other refugees to take a chance like him. "I would advise refugees to start on their businesses, however little they have. They also should not shy away from taking loans, that's what has grown my business to this extent." 

Siaka recently received a substantial loan which allowed him to start a new business rearing over 4,000 chickens; he has hired 20 Kenyans and 15 refugees to grow his business and support his community. He also hopes to open a supermarket with the next loan he gets after paying off his current loan.

Through his financial success, he can now support his sisters and ensure they receive the education he couldn’t. "I want my sisters to be able to get the education I never got, and this shop is enabling me to do that." 

Aisha

At Kakuma refugee camp, Aisha Halake Galgalo has her hands full as a community leader and single mother to three children. 

Aisha is originally from Ethiopia but was forced to flee to Dadaab refugee camp in Kenya when she was just 16 years old. She relocated to the Kakuma refugee camp in 2017 and has lived there ever since.

Shortly after arriving in Kakuma refugee camp, Aisha was nominated by her local community and elders to be a community leader. "Being a female leader does not come without its challenges. Sometimes people do not want to respect you because you are a woman."

However, Aisha worked hard, holding onto the position for the last six years, and has become a respected pillar in her community. She works with her community to resolve difficult problems and challenges and has helped her community grow from the ground up. "I arrived in 2017. I mobilized my community to allow for the construction of a few shops so that we could get commodities closer to our homes," she shares.

Aisha’s love for her community has allowed her to gain the respect of her neighbors and why people go to her when they need help or there is trouble in the community. When Aisha is not busy solving difficult problems in her community, she spends time with her children and ensures they feel loved and nurtured. 

"I really love my children. My children are my everything. I want to offer them friendship, that way they can always talk to me about anything. They give me strength to carry on."

Elena and Noé

Elena and her husband, Noé could never have imagined that the life they share today would be so full of love and joy for the future. 

Elena was forced to flee gang violence and extortion in her home country of Honduras. Fleeing wasn't without its dangers—she was shot multiple times while on the run. But despite the initial fear she experienced while fleeing, her determination was unbreakable and she has never looked back.

Today, life looks very different for Elena, Noé and their children, Jared and Sigrid. They’ve been able to start again in Guatemala and thanks to the sacrifices they’ve made, their children are thriving at school and at home. Jared is a budding football player and Sigrid loves nothing more than posing for the camera.

With Noé’s unwavering love and support, Elena has also found the courage to attend biweekly cooking classes with a group of women in her neighborhood. She has found a community and a purpose through the women's empowerment group and no longer feels like an outsider due to her nationality. 

How you can help…

Despite the hardships refugees face, their love for their families, homes, and new communities never wavers. Being a friend or welcoming someone new to your community is one of the most powerful ways you can show refugees and other newcomers love in their new homes.