Vilnius - The migrant's journey is never easy. Every step can be fraught with, uncertainty and fear — particularly for those forced to flee the horrors of war. Displaced persons leave behind their homes where generations of families —built their lives, dreamed about their futures, They flee with  only the bare essentials   holding on to an  indestructible  hope that one day, they might return to their homelands . Their journey is not a choice – it can be a matter of life or death. 

Settling into a new country marks the beginning of a new and often difficult chapter in their lives, adapting to a new way of life, experiencing an unfamiliar culture, and overcoming language barriers. The process is often full of challenges, but it becomes more bearable  with the support of understanding people and a helping hand. In recognition of the numerous challenges that migrants face  IOM Lithuania strives to ease the burden through hosting meetings and events to help migrants in Lithuania connect with those in a similar position in Vilnius. 

 One of the key initiatives involved migrants from all different backgrounds attending a Storytelling Training Workshop which provided participants with essential tools to better narrate and open up about their personal stories and histories. 
"I encouraged participants to choose their own stories to tell," says professional storyteller and mentor, Milda Varnauskaitė. "Sometimes, you expect someone to speak about their migration journey or leaving their homeland, but they might just choose to talk about the challenges they face in their studies or friendships.” 

Among the participants who attended was Arina Balaban, 21 years old girl, who came to Lithuania from the Donetsk region of Ukraine when the war began. She has chosen Lithuania, because her relatives already lived here. “I should have looked for a safer place to  live, war is a terrible tragedy that I wouldn't wish on anyone - says Arina. Currently she studying International Marketing at Vilnius University, Arina joined the storytelling workshop as it is one of her life-long passion to  create stories and compelling narratives. "I’ve loved writing since childhood," she explains. "I used to participate in competitions, and now my studies and professional interests are intertwined around writing. I was thrilled to have an opportunity to join the workshop in order to improve my skills."

In total, 12 migrants participated in the IOM Lithuania storytelling sessions, each learning in their own way how to unravel  their story in a way that is compelling and accessible to others. By sharing their often traumatised experiences through the medium of writing participants not only gained valuable insights into their inner-writer skills  but it also facilitated building trust, reducing  the fear of opening up in a group setting.

,,IOM Lithuania places a strong emphasis on soft integration measures to support migrants. That's why we host a variety of events at the MiCenter creating opportunities for migrants to connect, build relationships, and share their experiences. Storytelling evenings are a prime example of these initiatives," explains Eglė Staškūnaitė, Head of Migrants Assistance and Crisis Management Unit 
MiCenter representative, event organizer Gintarė Skuodytė also expressed her admiration for the participants: "Starting a new life in a foreign country is already a daunting task, and it takes even more courage to openly share your successes and struggles. It was inspiring to see so many people at the MiCenter who have chosen Lithuania as their home."

Four participants who were ready to share their stories publicly after the training were given individual mentoring sessions to empower their self-belief and confidence. "To tell a powerful story, we must open up and show our true selves," says Varnauskaitė. "This can feel intimidating at first, but it is through vulnerability that we form genuine and lasting connections with others."

A  final home-made stories workshop event marked the conclusion of the training , where the workshop participants, demonstrated their writing skills and discussed how these new skills could be used in the future. . In an atmosphere of togetherness, participants opened up and shared stories about their fondest memories from home and the challenges and opportunities they experience in Lithuania. The highlight of the final evening saw participants  share  their favourite  dishes, stories and melodies from their cultures, which warmed the hearts of the participants and allowed them to to form stronger bonds.

This project is supported by The State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) of the Swiss Confederation.