Gabriel’s Journey to Emotional Healing

For much of his life, 18-year-old Gabriel has lived with uncertainty. Growing up in the Democratic Republic of Congo, he experienced the effects of decades of armed conflict and instability. In 2020, his father died from COVID-19, leaving the family in an even more vulnerable position. Hoping to build a safer, more stable future, Gabriel and his mother joined his older sister in Brazil. There, Gabriel sold vegetables to help support the family, but opportunities remained limited. Determined to find a better path forward, he and his mother made the long journey on foot to Mexico.

The journey, however, came at a profound emotional cost. While crossing the Darién Gap, a dense, roadless region and one of the world’s most dangerous migration routes, Gabriel witnessed horrific scenes and the devastating human toll of migration. The experience left lasting psychological scars.

When Camino a Casa staff met Gabriel and his mother in March 2026, they were living in a migrant shelter in Mexico City. Gabriel was exhibiting signs of PTSD, still plagued by recurring memories that pulled him back to the terrifying experiences in the jungle. His mother worked long days operating industrial printing equipment, which meant hours of isolation for Gabriel in a transient environment where lasting friendships weren’t possible. Without formal academic records, he was locked out of many programs and lacked the skills required for formal employment.

Through sessions with a Camino a Casa staff psychologist, Gabriel learned practical coping strategies to process the trauma he experienced in the DRC and during his migration journey.

The program’s social worker also connected Gabriel with a local soccer team as an opportunity for social engagement. Gabriel quickly built friendships with peers and gained a much-needed sense of community. Today, he regularly spends time with his teammates outside of practice, creating a sense of belonging that had been missing since leaving the DRC.

As Gabriel’s confidence grew, so did his focus on his future. Camino a Casa worked with Gabriel to build a clear path toward education and employment. Because he had arrived in Mexico without academic records, the program assisted in getting his prior education formally validated through a nationally recognized academic assessment.

In parallel, Gabriel began preparing for vocational training in forklift and heavy machinery operation. Camino a Casa supported him in obtaining his driver’s license and offered financial assistance for training courses and materials.

With continued support through the remainder of the program, Gabriel is well-positioned to transition toward greater stability and build a future grounded in skills, confidence, and a sense of belonging.

These activities were implemented with the generous support of Islamic Relief USA. Any views expressed herein are solely those of Global Refuge.