Anu left Bangladesh in 2008 to apply for asylum in Ireland. After his application was granted, he lived and worked in Ireland for almost three years. However, he missed his family in Bangladesh and did not feel integrated into Irish life. He wanted to return but did not have the money to do so, and did not know how he could support himself if he left Ireland. Anu spoke to his friends to get advice for how he could move back to Bangladesh. He said, “There was an IOM ad placed at the hostel I lived and a friend suggested it to me. Then I contacted IOM.”
He made an appointment with IOM in Dublin to ask about voluntary return. Anu learned that IOM could assist him with purchasing the plane ticket, and also that he could apply for a reintegration grant after he returned to Bangladesh. He felt more optimistic about return knowing that he could use the grant to start a business. Anu explained, “It assured me I would get proper support when I return to Bangladesh.”
“I would like to urge other returnees to get as much information as possible.”
After returning, Anu lived with his family while he made plans to open a grocery store. Unfortunately he had to shut down the business because it was not profitable, but through the connections he had made he began working with a distribution company instead. He is hoping to expand his knowledge about distribution and begin working as a private contractor in the future.
