Imagine, for a moment, the place you call home—your favorite chair, the smell of family meals, the laughter echoing in the hallway. Now, picture that all swept away in a storm of violence or fear, replaced by uncertainty and longing. This is the reality for millions across the globe, and it's where our story begins.
Displacement is not a distant concept, but a lived experience for 68.5 million people. It’s not a choice—no one leaves home unless home is the mouth of a shark. Most are forced by war, persecution, or disaster, and many more are children, their futures rewritten by forces beyond their control.
But what does it mean to be displaced? Some cross borders and become refugees, while others remain within their country, known as internally displaced persons. The world often sees them as numbers, yet behind every statistic is a doctor, a student, a poet, a child with dreams.
In this journey, we’ll walk alongside these individuals, learning not just about their loss, but about their courage and hope. We’ll see how displacement changes everything, yet cannot erase the longing for home or the strength to rebuild.
As we move forward, remember: every refugee was once someone just like you, with a favorite song, a cherished memory, and a life interrupted. Let this be the lens through which we explore the stories ahead.
Now, let us step into the shoes of those who have walked away from everything familiar, and begin to listen to the voices that too often go unheard. Our next chapter will introduce you to some of these voices, each carrying a world within them.
