The sound of laughter now fills the small apartment where Nafeesa Hasan (not her real name) lives with her siblings in Baguio City. Far from the violence she once knew, she spends her days dreaming of a brighter future built on hard work, resilience, and hope.
Born in Khartoum, Sudan, the 31-year-old Sudanese was forced to leave behind their only home. In 2014, as conflict arose in their homeland, their family fled to the Philippines where they began rebuilding their lives in the place that would eventually call their second home.
Despite the challenges of starting over, Nafeesa refused to let displacement in the past define her future. She dreamed of completing her education and becoming a physical therapist.
Her determination led her to take up Physical Therapy at a University in Baguio City in January 2023, she successfully graduated.
“Some things do not really change; it is your perspective that changes. You become more thankful. You see what other people are going through, and you realize, ‘I’m still okay.’ Life here as a foreigner has never really been bad because, thank God, our family chose a good country to stay in,” she said.
Then tragedy struck. Their father, who had been the family’s rock, passed away. Grieving, their family had to move forward together, with the weight of providing for themselves squarely on their shoulders, especially her brother.
With their father gone, struggles on rent, unpaid bills, and the next meal echoed in their conversations at home. Every peso was carefully counted, each expense weighed against another, as the family learned to navigate a challenging future.
Nafeesa wanted nothing more than to ease her family’s burden. Yet, in the face of uncertainty, she often found herself standing between determination and despair. Like many families uprooted by tragedy, they carried both grief and hope, trusting that somehow, tomorrow would be kinder.
Together with her siblings, she transformed their small kitchen into a place of quiet determination. The scent of freshly baked cakes, delicate desserts, and treasured Arabic delicacies filled the air as they measured, mixed, and baked, not simply to satisfy cravings, but to help provide for their family.
As the family sought asylum in the country, they were referred through the government’s refugee protection process. Following the recognition of their status as Persons of Concern, they were endorsed to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). As part of the Philippine government’s commitment under the 1951 Refugee Convention, the country through the DSWD provides appropriate protection and assistance to refugees and other persons of concern through its sectoral programs.
For Nafeesa and her family, this referral fanned a flame of hope. The assistance they received from the DSWD extended beyond financial support. It helped ease the burden of their daily expenses at a time when they were still grieving the loss of their father and struggling to rebuild their lives in a foreign country.
More importantly, the support restored something that hardship had nearly taken away—confidence, independence, and hope. With their immediate needs addressed, Nafeesa was able to focus on rebuilding her future while continuing to stand beside her family as they slowly recovered from one of the most difficult chapters of their lives.
Her father’s absence remains deeply felt, a reminder of the loss that reshaped their world. But the story of her family is no longer defined by grief alone. Today, it is also one of resilience, where healing continues, dreams are slowly reclaimed, and each step forward is taken together.
“I don’t know what our situation would have been if we had gone somewhere else. I don’t think we would have felt the same sense of safety and warmth. That’s why the Philippines will always be my second home. I am truly thankful,” she shared.
Her journey is a powerful reminder that while war can displace people from their homes, compassion can help restore their sense of belonging. With timely support and unwavering determination, even the deepest wounds can give way to healing, dignity, and the promise of a new beginning.# DSWD FIELD OFFICE CAR, SOCIAL MARKETING UNIT, HAZEL ANN D. BUY-O AND JESSICA L. TUCAY.
