THE HUMANITARIAN CHRONICLES — "My Home is My Heart": When There is No Home Left, Hope Remains!

Forced migration is far more than a simple geographic relocation. It’s a profound upheaval that shakes the very identity of a person. Often, it’s a brutal uprooting, a painful separation from what was once familiar, from what defined "home." For many refugees and migrants, "home" becomes an abstract concept, an essence they carry within them like an intangible treasure. The only home left is the one they carry in their hearts, a sacred place made of memories, hopes, and dreams. But even this home can become a heavy burden, especially when shared with the distress of a child asking where their room is or with the weary gaze of a mother who fears what tomorrow will bring.

This newsletter dives into the emotional reality of those who have lost everything—except hope. I invite you to experience these moving stories of fathers, mothers, and children who, despite everything, continue to believe that hope is always possible, even when the only home left is the one they keep within. These poignant testimonies show us that sometimes, the only thing keeping them standing is the love they have for their loved ones, the flame that still burns within their hearts.

1. The Scent of Memories: Moussa and Olfactory Memory

"Every night, I close my eyes and remember the smell of the soup my mother made, the warm bread we shared as a family. Today, I no longer have that table to sit around, but these memories still nourish me, in a different way."

Moussa is a teenager, a sub-Saharan refugee now living under different skies. Despite the exile, he recreates these moments of family warmth for his peers through simple but symbolically rich meals. His home is his heart, a space filled with memories of the past.

Moussa’s story reminds us of the evocative power of smells in shaping our identity and sense of belonging. The smell of his mother’s soup becomes a bridge between the past and the present, a delicate but powerful thread connecting him to his roots.

Sensory memories, particularly related to food, are often what anchor migrants to their lost homes. Moussa embodies this inner strength that, despite losing everything, allows him to continue offering love and comfort to other children his age. His testimony speaks of intimate resilience, turning memory into refuge.

Olfactory memory plays a crucial role in the mourning and adaptation process of displaced people. It can be both a source of comfort and pain. For humanitarian workers, understanding the importance of these sensory markers can help create more welcoming environments in refugee camps or shelters, by integrating communal kitchen spaces where familiar smells can be recreated.

Moussa’s act of recreating these moments for children shows his resilience and his desire to pass on cultural heritage despite adversity. It highlights the importance of supporting cultural practices in humanitarian interventions, as they play a vital role in preserving the dignity and identity of displaced people.

"Home isn’t a place. It’s a feeling."

2. Redefining Home: Home Through Love

"I lost my house, but I never lost my family. As long as I keep them close, I’m home, wherever that may be."

Sékou, a father of two, fled war in another sub-Saharan country with his wife and children. Their house was destroyed, but in the chaos of migration, it was their family bond that allowed them to recreate a sense of security. For him, "home" is no longer about walls or a roof, but about presence and shared love.

Sékou’s testimony shows how the concept of "home" transforms in exile. It’s no longer a physical place but a relationship, a family united despite everything. Love becomes the compass, home is where hearts beat together. This story highlights the strength of family unity as a pillar of resilience.

This redefinition of home is a crucial adaptation mechanism for many refugees. It allows them to maintain a sense of continuity and stability in a context of displacement. For humanitarian actors, this underscores the importance of preserving family unity during displacement and facilitating family reunifications as soon as possible.

The emotional strength Sékou draws from his family ties shows how love and attachment can become vital resources in times of crisis. It highlights the need for humanitarian programs not to focus solely on material needs but also on psychosocial support and strengthening community bonds.

"Where there is love, there is home."

3. The Children of Exile: An Intergenerational Challenge

"My son often asks me, ‘Daddy, when are we going back home?’ I never know how to answer. For him, home is still his country. But for us, we must move forward, even though our hearts remain there."

Ali is a father who, through his son’s eyes, sees the confusion of exile. Children, with their innocence, still perceive their former life as a tangible reality, while parents are forced to anchor them in a new present. This tension between the past and the future creates a void that is difficult to fill.

The children of migrants embody this struggle between the past and the future. They often adapt more quickly, but their hearts remain tied to what they know through their parents’ stories. Ali’s story shows the emotional responsibility parents bear to maintain hope while helping their children find their place in a world that is no longer the one they know.

Ali’s testimony about his son highlights the unique challenges faced by migrant children and their parents.

This story raises crucial questions about identity and belonging for refugee children. They often find themselves in a cultural in-between, torn between their parents’ idealized past and the reality of their new life. For humanitarian organizations, this underscores the importance of educational programs that value both cultural heritage and integration into the host society.

The confusion and questioning of Ali’s son reflect the intergenerational trauma often observed in refugee families. It highlights the need for long-term psychological support, not only for adults but also for children who bear the emotional weight of their family’s displacement.

"The children of exiles are heirs to two worlds: one that saw their birth and another where they grow up. Their hearts oscillate between a past they never lived and a future they struggle to grasp."

Conclusion: A Home in Search of Humanity

The stories I’ve shared here are living proof that a home is not just a physical place. For migrants, home is an idea, a memory, a feeling etched into their hearts, a force that drives them forward even when everything seems lost. If we, as humans, have a responsibility, it’s to recognize this shared humanity. Offering a smile, a helping hand, or simply a bit of understanding is already participating in the rebuilding of the home these families have lost.

These stories remind us that behind the numbers and statistics on forced migration are complex human lives, rich in emotion and resilience. They invite us to rethink our approach to humanitarian aid, focusing on the dignity, cultural identity, and psychosocial well-being of displaced people.

For humanitarian actors, these stories emphasize the importance of:

1. Creating spaces that allow refugees to maintain their cultural practices.
2. Implementing psychosocial support programs tailored to different generations.
3. Facilitating community connections to recreate a sense of belonging.
4. Raising awareness in host societies of the richness of experiences and cultures brought by migrants.

Ultimately, these stories remind us that the true home is the one we build together, in a spirit of compassion and mutual understanding. They call us to solidarity that transcends borders and to recognize our shared humanity.

Thank you for reading, and see you soon for another human exploration! ... And by the way, check out my other Newsletters, you will surely find one that interests you!

— ... And above all, don't forget, Be kind to yourself, to others, love everyone without distinction, be kind to one another and help everyone by using generosity and acts of kindness, and... May your nights be as Sweet and peaceful with the feeling of a duty fulfilled and may your days be Bright! This is my motto ?? —

In solidarity,

Sofiane Sid-Ahmed GHERBI

Translator and Interpreter

President-Founder,

MALAK D'ALGER Association ????? ???? ?????? ??????? | Ex. City of Angels of Algiers - SOLIANGES

[email protected]

www.citedesanges.org

Hello! ?? I am Sofiane, a Translator and Interpreter specialising in translations from French and English into Arabic, with expertise in Spanish, Turkish, Russian, and Ottoman Turkish. Passionate about Humans, I am interested in everything that touches their History, cultures, beliefs, and languages, particularly Semitic, Iberian, Slavic, and Turkic languages; not forgetting liturgical languages, which are another of my strengths. My commitment to cultural and linguistic diversity, communication in its aspects of Inter-culturality, Multi-culturality, and Trans-culturality is a reflection of this passion and vocation, crystallising in the principle of "Trans-lation" in my vocation as a Translator and Interpreter of human achievement.

In parallel, I am an active and committed Humanitarian, dedicating my time and energy to my Association, the "Cité des Anges d'Alger", dedicated to assisting and protecting children and mothers, of which I am the President and Founder: www.citedesanges.org

In a world that values sharp expertise, I am also an Expert in Foreign Trade Operations & International Relations by day; a Volunteer Translator/Interpreter by night; an engaged Humanitarian the rest of the time and on weekends; a Gardener, a DIY enthusiast, chess player, martial arts practitioner, apprentice Potter-ceramist, former student of Arab-Andalusian music, and Coursera course devourer challenging myself with new skills and knowledge, if there is any time left in the 24 hours that make up my days… This is my Ikigai! ??

Author's Note: Never forget that you have the power to make a difference, regardless of your age or situation. Get involved in Solidarity and Humanitarian Actions, and do good around you, for these generous and altruistic actions will build a better world for all of us. Be the Diamond that lights the way for others, and your light will shine eternally ... long after you!