When Ace told me that his appeal had been successful and that the judge had ruled to grant him the refugee status, we immediately had a video call to add a new screenshot to our collection of happy faces.
We met Ace two years ago, when his boyfriend introduced him to us. It was just before his hearing before the Commission, and there was not enough time to prepare him or produce a report about his case. Indeed, the Commission did reject his application: he got so upset that he had to be attended at the E.R.
He then joined our group; so, we could produce a report about him (including photos), and when the judge asked to hear him, Silvia and I helped him, with three remote appointments and at least six hours to help him put things in order and better explain his personal journey to the judge.
Doing things remotely is much harder and even somehow obnoxious but, in the end, worth it. And it seems that we’re learning how to prepare people even during a pandemic, thankfully.
Anyway, big kudos to Ace, who is now in another region and plans to come see us in person as soon as the red zone is over.
Did you know that it is not at all easy for an asylum seeker to tell their personal story?
Sometimes we take for granted that telling your own personal story is an easy thing to do. Especially if you’re an asylum seeker and your future depends on it. Yet, most of the times, an asylum seeker may find it extremely hard.
Oftentimes, these people have had very dramatic, complicated lives, and it is awfully difficult for them to wrap their heads around events, put them into context and give a detailed account of what happened to them. And if they come from a background where they were taught not to express their feelings, and that to be trustworthy one must show no emotions or not look their counterpart in the eyes, or even that it is better to give short, undetailed answers, well, then, disaster is on the making.
If you want to volunteer or ask a question to the people at the Nido, you can contact us on piacenza@ilgrandecolibri.com
The answers will be published on the Nido del Colibrì page!
translation by Antonio Pauletta
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