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Il Nido del Colibrì

Il Nido del Colibrì in Piacenza came to life almost by accident.
At first, it was meant to be just a simple weekly video press review open to the public. Then, starting November 2017, it attracted some homosexual asylum seekers who needed a safe space to talk and exchange experiences and ideas. Therefore, it started organizing meetings just for them.

In the beginning so few people came in that they could be counted on one hand, whereas now il Nido assists some dozens of people (applicants, refugees, and variously LGBT), also from other cities.

Il Nido always tries have a listening attitude and to be on an equal footing with those who come in: even if they have really complex situations, il Nido will try and figure out what can be done. Then, word of mouth does the rest. Also, because at il Nido everyone who drops by is welcomed just as a person, not as an applicant or a refugee, and that makes a bit of a difference. And since il Nido is now such a special experience, we think it’s about time we share it.

Important Notice: In the updates to il Nido, the names of people who come to us have been changed and the pictures pixeled. We are aware that they are still very vulnerable people and we do not want them to take any risk by being exposed on a publicly accessible site.

Il Nido del Colibrì
Nuovi arrivi al Nido del Colibrì

New arrivals at the Nido del Colibrì

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Joining a new group, introducing yourself and trying to put fear aside is not easy for LGBTQIA+ asylum seekers. Whenever new people arrive at our Nido meetings, or if there…
Una residenza non scontata

Residency is by no means a given

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Osake can now celebrate his first Italian ID card. His story sounds pretty incredible, yet we were given proof, thus it definitely is the truth. After fleeing Nigeria, where he…
Il Nido del Colibrì

Together at the medical examiner’s: a crucial examination for asylum seekers

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Some time ago I accompanied Buba to pick up some test results and to book a visit to the medical examiner. Simon, Carl and Damian turned up to say hello,…
Anche i migranti LGBT+ tornano in piazza

LGBT+ migrants also return to the streets

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After years of forced stop, public demonstrations by the LGBT+ community are back, and a march through the streets of Piacenza was organized to celebrate the International Day Against Homo-Bi-Transphobia.…
Accompagnamento

Accompaniment

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Accompaniment is one of the most important activities we carry out at the Nido del Colibrì. It is fundamental because it has a major influence on the quality of life…
Richiedenti sospesi fra Italia e Germania

Asylum seekers left hanging between Italy and Germany

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The sloppy handling of people arriving in Italy, repeated changes in the law and a lack of information result in terrible odysseys for migrants who are left alone and completely…
Il Nido del Colibrì

Subsequent application: the support of friends and associations

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Isid has recently collected his first temporary residence permit after his subsequent asylum application. This may sound like a small thing, but in his case it really is not. He…
Alì: ottenere l’asilo proveniendo da un “paese sicuro”

Ali: obtaining asylum even if coming from a “safe country”

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Our journey with Ali began a few months ago when we received a call from a refugee centre. They were asking for our help in preparing a young Tunisian gay…
Il Nido del Colibrì

It is very hard for asylum seekers to tell their story

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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…
Ciao Maurizio, ti ricorderemo per sempre

Farewell Maurizio, we will always remember you

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Here at the Nido del Colibrì we help many people who have a relationship with death that the average Italian and the people who live in the “luckier” part of the…