Yes, hope can be reborn!

This is what happened to Osama, Katia and little Cristina, a Syrian family landed in Bergamo (Italy) in the locality of “The Village of the spouses”, thanks to the humanitarians corridors of the community of S. Egidio, that has, among its objectives, to prevent the exploitation carried out by human traffickers, avoiding trips by boats that causes disasters and death.

Hospitality: a tradition

After the arrival of the Syrian family in Bergamo, she easily found a place in the parish. Almost sixty families participated in the project, paying monthly a sum of money to cover their expenses, transport, various purchases, medical expenses etc.

 The association “Abbracciaperte”, a non- profit organization managed the project through a family of the parish, husband and wife, who become responsible for the general management of the Osama’s family.

The parish priest provided for them a living accommodation offering also to little Cristiana the chance to attend the parish Kindergarten. Thanks to these various supports the Syrian family was able to start a new life in peace.

A great expérience

"As a volunteer I also gave my small contribution to their learning of Italian language. For me, it was a very human and profound experience. We got to know each other better and better: they told me about their experiences by showing me pictures of their destroyed house, by narrating the hardships and the many difficulties they went through.  With concern and sadness they often think about their family members left in Syria and of whom they receive news only occasionally.

Their experience challenged me a lot, making me more aware of different aspects and tragedies that many of our brothers and sisters live in their countries at war", says Sr Annamaria, who continues to accompany them in the path of their integration.