This is Korkiss. He's a 23-year-old from the Ivory Coast, but he's found himself a family here in Rome.
It's something he could've never imagined during a treacherous journey from Libya nearly five years ago, a trip that included being stranded at sea for a week before being rescued. Knowing what it took for him to get here, Korkiss exudes gratitude for a new life in Italy.
KORKISS DIALLO
Refugee
“This family will be mine for life because they've taught me things I didn't know before and see the things and places I hadn't seen. They've helped me learn Italian and go to school and have a baseline to support myself later. I'm very happy to have them.”
Thanks to the Caritas “A Refugee in My Home” program, the De Santis opened their doors and hearts to Korkiss. Despite some early obstacles, such as the language barrier and cultural differences, both parties were committed to learning from one another.
Soon, Korkiss had become just another member of the family, forming the tightest bond with 18-year-old Tommasso.
TOMMASO DE SANTIS
“He's like a brother to me. We do many things together. For example, we went to the Stadio Olimpico to watch a soccer match. Hopefully we can continue experiencing things together.”
After more than a year in the De Santis household, Korkiss had learned the language and completed a pizza-making class, eventually finding seasonal work at pizzerias in northern Italy.
While he no longer lives with his second family, he makes sure to stop by for lunch every Sunday, which means the lessons continue.
MASSIMILIANO DE SANTIS
“When you open yourselves up to another person, like we did with Korkiss, when everyone works toward one goal, we've learned to be better together and happier in the future.”
RAFFAELLA DE SANTIS
“In our experience, through reception and familiarity, all the fear and problems disappear. Thus, surely, a nation, a community, a civil society that ventures to see the other person's perspective, to get to know him or her...wins.”
At a recent Caritas event in Rome, clergy and laity alike were invited to share a meal with refugees. For Korkiss and the De Santis clan, it was neither the first nor the last special encounter.
