Istarlin's story, Somalia
Romania is my second country.
I am Istarlin Muhudin, a proud citizen of Somalia, born in the beautiful capital of my country. At just 26, I am also a dedicated wife and loving mother of three wonderful children. Unfortunately, throughout my lifetime, my country has been rocked by chaos and insecurity, so I have not had the opportunity to experience a period of stability and prosperity.
I left Somalia when I was only 13 and returned in my early 20s, becoming a mother of two children in the process. I made considerable efforts to provide a proper upbringing for my children, trying to overlook the problems in the country, but unfortunately, I was not able to achieve the desired success.
I experienced an extremely painful insecurity which eventually made it necessary for me to leave my country again, without being able to take my children with me. The inability to take my children with me was due to the extremely high costs involved in this process.
With the support of my mother, I managed to find a way to escape. After a long journey and crossing many countries, I finally arrived in Romania on August 12, 2019. I applied for asylum in Romania and was granted refugee status. I experienced immense joy.
However, it was very painful for me to be separated from my family, my husband, but especially from my children. It was very difficult for me to settle in at first because I didn't know the language at all, it was hard to find a place to rent and a job, but I managed to learn Romanian and manage.
The process of family reunification was complex and difficult, but I received support from NGOs and after about a year we were able to be together as a family again. My children and my husband came to me on March 8, 2021. This opportunity was given to me by the Romanian government. My level of happiness was indescribable. After that, on December 13, 2021 my youngest son was born.
After two years of hard work in Romania, I have managed to make close friendships with many Romanians, establishing very good connections between us. I have been actively involved in the social integration process and generally had a good experience. I am currently on maternity leave and I hope to return to my job in the future. Applying for asylum in Romania was the best choice for me. For me, Romania is my second country and I have high hopes that I will obtain Romanian citizenship because I dedicate my heart to this country that I love so much. Many things have changed in my life since I came here and I feel safe and happy. We are now a big family of five, sharing the same home.
This story is part of the "Human Stories" collection, which illustrates the voices of refugees in our country and their unique experiences. The interview took place in September 2023.