“I don’t feel as if I have left my country behind or that I am living in a foreign country. Malta is my home”, says Anas, a Syrian carpenter who has been living in Malta for the past nine years.

He is sharing his story through a video collaboration between Lovin Malta and the local representation of the global UN agency, UNHCR Malta.

Our team had the chance to meet and interview people from different refugee and migrant communities around the island about their experience here, from arriving and starting a new life to integrating into society.

Anas went on to explain to us how he started to learn Maltese while working in a local factory and making conversation. He says he never encountered anyone quite like the Maltese as they stood out to him by welcoming him and his family warmly nine years back.

Anas also expressed his gratitude to the Malta Community Chest Fund Foundation, which stepped in when his young daughter needed to be sent overseas to receive medical care.

We also met Dursa, a refugee from Ethiopia who arrived in Malta at just 18 years of age. The challenges he faced with documents and the initial process inspired him to found Spark15, an NGO whose team represents 11 different countries and aims to facilitate the entire process for refugees and migrants.

While the organisation pushes for accessible education for these communities, Dursa explained to us that the mantra that keeps Spark15 going is: “If I can change but one life, that is something to look up to.

You can check out our sit-down with Dursa in this video:

Other refugees we encountered shared Dursa’s sentiment on how challenging settling one’s documents can be upon arriving in Malta.

While speaking with Alexander, Anastasiia and Alexandra, all from Ukraine, we better understood the harsh realities Ukrainians have been living with since the war broke out in February 2022.

They explained how the Maltese helped them make the island their second home, and are still doing a lot for Ukrainians in Malta. They also encouraged Ukrainians to not be afraid of going places and starting a new life, because, as Alexandra puts it: “by being here, we can still do a lot”.

Catch their interviews here:

Since the war in Sudan started in 2003, millions of locals were forced to flee and start afresh elsewhere. Mohammed arrived in Malta 12 years ago and has since made a home for himself in the heart of Paola, even opening his own Halal butcher’s shop.

Opening his own business has helped Mohammed feel like part of the local community, and he
tells us he looks forward to being able to employ others, very much in tune with his belief: “if you spread love, you will receive it back”.

This is Mohammed’s story:

The UNHCR representation in Malta gives support to refugees and asylum-seekers through communication with government bodies or non-governmental organizations that can help these people settle in a new country.

UNHCR Malta also works tirelessly to help battle the stigma these communities often face and to improve the public’s perception of them.

This series of interviews ultimately shows how refugees and asylum-seekers are and can be equipped to lead normal lives that do not conflict or contrast with those of the Maltese, especially with some guidance.

So, let’s honour the humanity in all of us and be more understanding and open-minded in our approach to people who have made the difficult decision to begin life anew far away from home.

What challenges do you think refugees face in Malta?