>Fardusa’s name means “paradise” in Somali, but her life began in the midst of a war-torn hell. Born into a country ravaged by conflict, she grew up surrounded by violence and uncertainty.

Today, she is a refugee in Italy, dedicating her life to helping others who, like her, have been forced to flee their homes in search of safety and peace.

A Childhood Shaped by War

For Fardusa, war was not something distant or abstract—it was her everyday reality. “As a child, it felt like I was in a film,” she recalls. “The bombs exploding at the market and the bullets flying past all felt like special effects staged by a director.” But the war was no movie. It left its mark on her, both physically and emotionally.

The decision to leave Somalia was not an easy one. “The day I said goodbye to my parents for the last time was the hardest day of my life,” she says. “I didn’t know if I would ever see them again.”

A Perilous Journey to Safety

Fardusa’s journey to safety was fraught with danger and despair. She traveled through Kenya, Uganda, South Sudan, Sudan, and Libya, facing unimaginable hardships along the way. “I can still picture the despair in the eyes of those who, step after step, gradually realized they wouldn’t make it,” she shares.

In Libya, she and others were locked in a dark truck, their hands and feet tied with rope to prevent escape. They were held in a small room for days without food or water, waiting to be sent across the Mediterranean Sea. When the time came to board a small, overcrowded boat, Fardusa was terrified. “I wanted to turn back,” she admits. But with a gun pointed at her, she had no choice but to move forward.

The journey was harrowing. After a few hours at sea, the boat’s engine broke down, leaving them stranded for five agonizing days. “I can still taste the salt on my tongue, growing ever more intense with each new wave,” Fardusa recalls.

A New Beginning in Italy

Fardusa’s life took a turn when the Italian Coast Guard rescued her and the other passengers. “When my feet finally touched solid ground, a new light took hold inside of me—the light of someone who knows there is still plenty of life left to tread,” she says.

Now living in Italy, Fardusa has found a sense of purpose in helping others who have endured similar struggles. Through her work with Centro Astalli/JRS Italy, she supports refugees and asylum seekers, offering them the compassion and assistance she once needed herself.

A Message of Resilience and Hope

Fardusa’s story is one of resilience, courage, and hope. Despite the unimaginable challenges she has faced, she remains determined to build a better future—not just for herself, but for others who have been displaced by conflict.

“I wanted to go back to my family so as not to die alone, without roots, on an unforgiving sea,” she reflects. “But now, I know that my journey was not just about survival. It was about finding a new purpose, a new life, and a new way to help others.”

Fardusa’s journey reminds us of the strength of the human spirit and the power of hope, even in the darkest of times.

Fardusa’s testimony is shared in collaboration with Centro Astalli/JRS Italy, an organization dedicated to supporting refugees and advocating for their rights.