Personal stories

When disability is not impairment

Hossam was born deaf and mute in Syria. Later, as a Syrian refugee in Austria he decided his disability would not stand in the way of his job prospects. Today he works as a technician for an electronics giant in Vienna.

A Syrian refugee who landed on his feet

Mohamad Kayali came to Germany in 2015 after fleeing his home city of Aleppo. It has taken a long time, but he has managed to create a new home for himself and his family.

'I made up my mind not to go into prostitution': Meeting Precious

Precious left Nigeria for Europe with the help of a family friend, or so she thought. She tells InfoMigrants about traffickers, bureaucracy in Italy and a baby in a German 'anchor center'.

Slave in Tunisia: An Ivorian migrant’s ordeal (Part 1)

Since the summer of 2018, more and more migrants have left Tunisia to make the dangerous journey across the Mediterranean. On the other side of the sea, Europe is becoming increasingly frustrated. Still, it seems Tunisia does little to prevent these journeys in the first place. Faced with a major economic and social crisis of its own, the government has let the migration problem slide -- it has yet to put a national asylum policy in place and has next to no infrastructure for migrants. InfoMigrants went to Tunisia where we met Jeanne d’Arc. For several months, the Ivorian migrant was a slave for a wealthy Tunisian family. Today, she feels completely abandoned and faces an uncertain future.

'Germany is becoming my homeland, but what is a homeland without a family?'

At just 17 years old, Mohammad Qasem has been seperated from his parents for over two years. His family stayed behind in Syria when the young refugee fled to Germany. He's hoping to reunite with his family soon, but Germany's asylum policy does not make this easy. He tries to stay upbeat in spite of these obstacles and hopes to one day become a doctor.

Bekir Ben, from immigrant to 'Italian artist'

Bekir Ben is a 49-year old Tunisian painter and sculptor. He arrived in Italy 26 years ago, his talent discovered by Italian artists who had admired his work at a hotel in Tunisia. Since then, Bekir has started his adventure as an artist, travelling from Rome to Palermo, where he has been living with his family for over 10 years now.

This former refugee helps others find their way in Italy

Emad Shuman arrived in Italy three decades ago, as a refugee trying to escape the war in Lebanon. Today, he's cultural mediator for Oxfam Italy, and helping other refugees find their way in Italy.

'One dies in Libya'

It took an Eritrean migrant saved by the Italian coast guard ship Diciotti three and a half years to go from Sudan to Milan, Italy. ''One dies in Libya,'' Josief said.

For Shrazi, a Pakistani migrant in Libya, escape is the only option

Although thousands of migrants have arrived successfully in Europe on makeshift boats from Libya and Turkey, not all attempts are successful. One Pakistani migrant recalls his tragic journey in the Mediterranean Sea, the dangers in Libya and his "small dreams" for the future.

'Europe is not what you expect it to be'

Pakistani migrant Shahid Ali left his studies for a dream of a better life in Europe only to find out that the continent was not what he expected it to be. Now back in Pakistan and trying to put his life back on track, Shahid is clear about one thing - it's not worth it.

'Christian refugees face the same problems as anybody else'

Syrian national Nabil Jozeph Abou Hamad came to Germany in 2015 with the aim of building a new life here. As the young war refugee finds himself engulfed in dealing with logistical, legal and social problems, none of his plans for professional and personal development have materialized.

From Afghan refugee to British politician

Peymana Assad, whose parents came to the UK as refugees 25 years ago, is playing an active role in British politics. In an interview with DW, she talks about her political activities and far-right extremism in Britain.