A mother’s love knows no borders: Gloria’s story

My name is Gloria, and I’m 40 years old. I am Congolese, and today I'd like to share my story with you.

In the early 2000s, I was part of a political organisation that opposed the President at the time. My commitment to freedom put me in danger, but I knew I had to protect my family. I fled with my partner and our son, Dovis, to Angola to escape the violence. On the way, my partner was kidnapped, and I was sent back to Congo. The danger still followed me, and I remained a target.

Desperate to keep Dovis safe, I left him with my parents and fled to Congo-Brazzaville before eventually finding refuge in France. After my parents passed away, I lost all contact with my son. The worry gnawed at me, day and night. I searched tirelessly, hoping for news, but found nothing. France granted me refugee status, but every day I held onto the hope that I would find Dovis again.

Then, in 2023, I got a call that changed everything. My best friend’s daughter had found Dovis’ contact details. I couldn’t believe it—my son was alive, now 15 years old, but he was in Cyprus, having made a dangerous journey on his own.

Thanks to Safe Passage International and their work, I was finally able to bring him to France. The day I held him again was one of the happiest moments of my life.

Gloria seeing her son for the first time after years apart

Gloria and Dovis finally reuniting

I know how lucky I am to be with my son today. As we celebrate Mother’s Day, it breaks my heart to know so many mothers around the world are still waiting to be reunited with their children. If you can, please donate to Safe Passage International today to reunite more families like mine.