The impact of refugee accompaniment : the commitment of our community worker

The impact of the refugee trajectory: a source of inspiration, motivation and transformation

By the refugee trajectory, we understand the perilous and trying journey taken by countless people in search of safety in their host country. It is not just a geographical journey; it is above all a deeply human one, where each refugee is faced with extremely difficult decisions, often marked by fear and sadness. These choices involve much more than mere survival; they touch on their dignity, identity, customs, desires and preferences. This journey jeopardises their safety and their destiny, in a context where their lives are under constant threat.

This journey is imbued with resilience and hope, qualities that leave a deep imprint on their stories and turn their accounts into living testimonies. Every time I visit them, they share these stories with me. Every moment spent in their company leaves an indelible mark on me, affecting, inspiring and transforming me in ways I could never have imagined.

How do the stories shared by the refugees during my visits affect me, inspire me and fuel my motivation?

Visits to refugees are meticulously organised. I start by contacting the co-sponsor, either by telephone or by email, who, in agreement with the refugee person or family, gives me information about the day and time of the meeting. I then make sure that the JRS volunteers are available to accompany me on the visit. Each meeting is attended by one or two volunteers, depending on their availability, regardless of where in Quebec the person or refugee family sponsored by JRS lives. This approach is fully in line with our mission, and is an integral part of our commitment to them.

In fact, our commitment reflects the second Universal Apostolic Preference of the Society of Jesus, which calls us to walk alongside the excluded, to invest in actions of social justice and to defend human dignity. We work to ensure that every sponsored person feels welcomed and supported in their reintegration. These meetings are much more than visits; they are an opportunity to exchange ideas, share experiences and forge links. We talk about their adjustment to Canada, our personal stories, and the importance of regaining a sense of belonging.

As we talk, I listen to their stories, which are marked by hardship, but also by resilience and hope. These life stories remind me of the extent to which they are unsung heroes, having had to abandon their country to take refuge elsewhere, often in total uncertainty. These stories are full of hardship, loss and anguish, but also of light and deep aspirations. Beyond the words, they embody fragments of shattered lives seeking to rebuild themselves. Through them, I discovered that even the most wounded souls possess an inexhaustible strength: the ability to continue to hope. Their testimonies reveal to me the power of human resilience: they are, for me, living lessons in courage, teaching me that, even in the midst of the darkest trials, the flame of hope can persist and shine brightly.

The effect of their words and stories on me

My visits to the refugees go far beyond a simple meeting or exchange of anecdotes. They are an honour for me, but also a responsibility: to carry their voices, to recognise the depth of their experience and to bear witness to their life journey. Each of their stories carries a fragile hope, a need to be heard and understood. Listening to their stories becomes an act of love and respect. Listening to them, I discover a soothing, silent force that transcends cultural barriers and reminds us of our common humanity.

From them, I learn the humility and vulnerability that accompany the choice to leave one’s native country, one’s homes and one’s family.

With them, I learn the humility and vulnerability that accompany the choice to leave one’s native country, habits, customs and culture to take refuge in a strange land. This accompaniment teaches me to be present, to support them in their uncertainties and to accept my own fragility. Their stories are not just memories, but life lessons, fragments of their shattered existence trying to rebuild themselves. Every day they teach me faith, patience and perseverance. Their stories of resilience and hope become transformative; they inspire me not only to be present, but to walk with them, together, in this shared quest for a renewed future.

In the end, their trajectories gradually become my own, and through this accompaniment I find a profound meaning to my mission. It’s a vocation of presence, sharing and solidarity, a common march towards a brighter future, a future that we are building together, step by step, hand in hand.

Jean Gardy Joseph, SJ.

Community worker