Abid Hussain left Pakistan in 2019 after receiving death threats due to conflicts in his region. He decided to leave his home and his country just to secure a safe and stable life. Leaving behind his wife and three sons was the hardest part of his journey.
“I was not leaving because I wanted a new life, I was leaving because I wanted my family to stay alive and safe.”
His journey through Iran, Turkey, and Bulgaria was filled with fear, violence, hunger, and uncertainty. Recalling his journey, he says that at one border, police released dogs on migrants and pushed them back.
“Many times, we thought we would die on the way, but somehow we managed to survive. With little to no food and walking barefoot, every step felt like I was getting closer to my destiny, and I continued without losing hope.”
When he finally arrived in Italy, he didn’t speak the language, had no home, and had no clear idea of where to begin. But from the very beginning, Abid had one mindset, to stay active and never give up.
“I didn’t know Italian,” he says, “but I knew I had to work and build my future somehow.”
After arriving in Siena in 2023, he slowly started rebuilding his life. His open and friendly nature helped him connect with people quickly, and those connections opened many doors for him. Through local people and organizations, he found accommodation, support, and eventually Italian language classes at SIS Study Abroad, which he describes as a bridge between immigrants and Italian society.
“Over time, I started meeting people, both Italians and other migrants, through events of MILAGRO and slowly I built friendships and connections. Because of my open nature, I never liked staying isolated, and those connections eventually helped me find work with an NGO as a night operator. Today, I always tell other migrants to learn the language, respect the culture, and try to integrate into society.
He also adds that he will always be grateful for the support he received from the organizations in Siena, and now his only dream is to reunite with his family.“My biggest dream is to bring my children to Italy so we can finally live together in peace after so many years of fear and uncertainty.”
Written by Saima Faisal
