A few days ago I arrived at Scalabrini House 634 with a cake in my hands and a joy bursting in my chest. I wanted to celebrate with those who, over the years, had become my family. I had finally obtained Italian citizenship. It was real.

My name is Dost. I will soon be 30 years old, but my story starts a long time ago, from my childhood. In 2009, when I was only fourteen years old, I set foot in Italy for the first time. I was a young boy from the Hazara tribe, fleeing a country that did not allow me to have rights or freedom. Inside I had only one desire: to be truly free and to be able to dream. To do that, I had to leave.

The journey was long. Very hard. I crossed Asia and Europe in pursuit of a dream that seemed increasingly distant. The borders were my worst enemy: invisible but impenetrable, like walls that wanted to keep me out of any possibility.

At first, Italy was just a stop on my journey. I thought my future would be in Sweden. But as time went on, I realized that my destiny was here.

In 2015, I entered Scalabrini House 634. I was the first boy accepted into the project. I remember everything as if it were yesterday: the excitement, the fear, the hope. In the house I met so many people. Among all, Mohamed Camara – older than me – welcomed me with wisdom and sympathy. And then Hamid, who in time became a brother.

At that time, my life was full: I was studying at night school, working and doing community service at Sacred Heart. The days flew by, between fatigue and dreams. But every night as I crossed the threshold of Scalabrini House 634, I felt I was coming home. It was a refuge. My first real safe space after years of uncertainty.

When Hamid found a home, we decided to move in together. It was a new phase in my life: more adult, more free. Knowing that I had someone by my side, someone I could count on, was crucial.

Just at that time I met Manuela. She became, in time, my wife. Even today, when I think about the day I first set foot in Scalabrini House 634, it seems incredible. At that time I was just looking for some time to breathe, to find myself. Instead, I received so much more.

I dreamed of becoming a doctor. But life sometimes surprises you and takes you to new dreams. Now I study Economics and Big Data in college and hope to graduate soon.

Every stage, every obstacle, every face encountered along the way brought me here. And today I can say it with certainty: my destiny was indeed here.

I dream for the house that it can still accompany so many kids like me.

Happy birthday Scalabrini House 634!