Samar Zeb is a 24 year old Pakistani migrant currently living in Siena,Italy. He arrived in 2023 after two years of long travel, entering through Trieste with the hope of building a better life, he did not have a clear destination, a detailed plan, or certainty about what would happen next. What he carried instead was the hope of finding safety, stability, and a better future. Like many others on similar paths, he followed the movement of the people around him, boarding a train with other Pakistani migrants. Without knowing where he was headed, he eventually found himself in Siena, after being stopped by police at a train station and asked to disembark. That unexpected moment marked the beginning of his life in Siena. His initial days were extremely difficult. At just 18 or 19 years old, Samar began a difficult journey filled with uncertainty, instability, and the challenge of surviving in an unfamiliar environment.
“It should have been my time to study and enjoy my teenage years, but circumstances forced me to take a different path and grow up too quickly.No one leaves their parents and family behind by choice,Sometimes it is the circumstances of life that force people to make such difficult decisions.”
Despite the hardships, Samar did not give up. With the help of humanitarian support and small acts of kindness from fellow migrants, he slowly found hope and began rebuilding his life.
“The journey to Europe was long and exhausting. I crossed mountains on foot with little food and no contact with my family. When I arrived in Italy, I first felt rejected by people, but later I understood it was mainly the language barrier. Learning Italian changed everything for me. People started helping me, and I found better opportunities.”
With the encouragement of a friend, he joined a language school. There, he met other MILAGRO participants, became actively involved in the project, and began building connections, not only within the migrant community but also with local Italians.
“Through institutions, associations, and individuals who supported me, I slowly rebuilt my life. I am deeply grateful to all those who helped me along the way, I see them as parental figures who guided me through my most difficult moments. Step by step, I moved forward, I obtained my documents, earned my driving license, and finally found stable work and now I am able to support my family.”
Today, Samar works as a chef in a hotel, supporting both himself and his family back home. His journey from uncertainty to stability reflects resilience, determination, and growth. Despite this progress, he still carries the emotional weight of migration, missing his family and constantly searching for better opportunities. Yet, he remains hopeful and forward-looking. His goal is not only to grow personally but also to give back to the community that supported him, as well as to others walking similar paths.
“I always hoped to build a better life in Italy,I am grateful to God, to Italy, and to all the people who helped me become who I am today.”
Written by Saima Faisal
