Valentina's Return

Valentina lived for five years in Ireland until she returned to Brazil in 2012. She went to Ireland with her sister-in-law to find work, and loved the country because she was able to find a job. She worked as a cleaner until she suddenly faced health problems. Because she could not work, she lost her apartment and began to live at the church she attended.

Valentina heard that IOM could provide her with return assistance, and she met with them to ask for more information. She received support for her travel, and was told she could apply for a reintegration grant. She was nervous about returning to Brazil, but knew that she could not support herself in Ireland.

Valentina was happy to be reunited with her family after she returned. “My family thought I was right. I was the first person in my family to live so far away. My family was very moved at my return.” She now lives on her sister’s land.

She applied for the reintegration grant and received equipment to start a food preparation business. IOM staff spoke with her six months after she began work, and Valentina’s business is operative but not yet earning a profit.

She is glad to be back with her family but still misses Ireland. She said, “Sometimes I have doubts, but I think that I was going through a hard time there.”