Personal stories

Selma and Mala's story: How a smuggler's dirty trick broke up a family

Selma and her husband fled Iran with their two children more than a year ago. After becoming separated at the Greek border, they finally ended up in Germany -- but in two different cities. Now they are desperate to be reunited. This is Selma's story.

Kefah's story: 'I'll oppose the regime as long as I live'

Kefah Ali Deeb had to leave Syria due to her political activities against Assad's rule. She was also imprisoned there. Now living in Germany, Kefah has started over with a new job and a motivation to help other refugees.

Amin’s story, deported from Germany: ‘I was about to marry my German partner’

After living in Germany for more than a year, Amin met a German woman and fell hopelessly in love. Two years after the beginning of their romance, Amin was deported to Algeria. Since then, they have done everything they can to be reunited. Here is Amin's story, in his own words:

Omar: 'Some guys sold me a false story to tell the authorities. I am so angry with them now.'

Omar, which is not his real name, is from Sudan. When he told his story to InfoMigrants French, he was in an administrative detention center CRA in Rennes, on the point of being expelled. Here the 25-year-old recounts his migratory journey, which was marred by violence and betrayal.

Zeinab's story: 'I don't want my baby to be born in a camp'

Zeinab and her husband fled Afghanistan two years ago and arrived at the overcrowded Moria refugee camp in October. Eight months into her pregnancy, Zeinab sleeps in a tent on rough terrain, surrounded by what international NGOs and the EU have slammed as appalling conditions. Zeineb is scared about the future but tries hard not to be discouraged. InfoMigrants' reporter Holly Young spoke to Zeinab on Lesbos.

Refugee from Nigeria becomes sales expert at Rome supermarket

Ella Antony, a 33-year-old Nigerian migrant who came to Italy five years ago now works at a Carrefour supermarket in Rome, going from strength to strength. After a grueling trip across Africa and the Mediterranean five years ago, she has successfully integrated into her new life in Italy, and is loving every moment of it.

Hero without papers: Undocumented Senegalese man saves Spanish resident from fire

Gorgui Lamine Sow, an undocumented migrant from Senegal has become a hero in Spain after he saved a man in a wheelchair from a fire in the man’s apartment. Now, the Spanish authorities are considering whether to award Sow a residency permit. More than 55,000 people have signed an online petition asking that they do so.

Samir: Becoming a man in Germany

Samir arrived in Germany five years ago as an unaccompanied minor at the age of 15. Since then he has learned German, completed school and started an apprenticeship; but his future in Germany is still unclear. The German TV channel ZDF has been following him for five years on his journey to adulthood.

Darfur refugee celebrates degree

Ahmed Musa, who landed on Lampedusa in 2011 after fleeing Sudan, has earned his degree in Turin with a dissertation on human rights in Darfur.

'Memories are too fresh and so is the pain': A tale of two teenage friends who survived abuse

Two Sudanese teenagers rescued in August by the Eleonore rescue ship have forged a close bond after enduring violence and abuse while in detention in Libya. The migrants aboard the ship that had been stranded at sea for a week were allowed to disembark in Sicily on Monday.

'We were terrified, but we were coming from hell'

18-year-old Feven, a migrant from Eritrea, was rescued at sea by the Spanish migrant aid organization Proactiva Open Arms. After she disembarked on the island of Lampedusa, she recounted the horrors of her journey to the UNHCR.

Hikma's story: Rescued by Open Arms

18-year-old Hikma from Ethiopia fled from Africa to Europe, passing through Libya. Hikma was rescued at sea by the ship Open Arms and disembarked in Italy. She shared her traumatic story with us.