‘While every refugee's story is different and their anguish personal, they all share a common thread of uncommon courage – the courage not only to survive, but to persevere and rebuild their shattered lives.’

Antonio Guterres

The Most Important Thing

The wilderness of a jungle is no place for a 5 year old child to call home. For Phillip Moses, it was the only refuge.

The nine long years in the Burmese jungles were followed by 11 years in a refugee camp in Thailand battling poor living conditions.

Finally in 2006, he got a chance to come to Canada with his family.

He brought with him his traditional Karen hat which is symbolic of the many hats he has donned – a survivor, a refugee, and now a businessman.

His ultimate dream is to own and run a cleaning company!

Photo: Luciana Nechita Story: Shamsia Quraishi

The civil war in Ethiopia split the family brutally apart, with Beyene Haile seeking refuge in Sudan. In time, the family was reunited, but the civil war in Ethiopia raged on.

In 1991, the opportunity to move to Canada was a respite from the hardship.

The family portrait Guoy, Beyene`s wife holds is a stark reminder that the only thing they could bring with them was their children. And as all refugees would say, “that’s the only thing that matters”.

Photo: Luciana Nechita Story: Shamsia Quraishi

After having lived in Bhutan for over 2 centuries, Laxmi Gautam`s family was unceremoniously asked to go back to Nepal. But the land they were originally from did not want them either.

After 8 years of struggle in congested and overcrowded refugee camps in Nepal, the international community took notice and the chance to settle in Canada became a reality.

Laxmi brought with him a few bills of the Nepalese Rupee as reminder of a homeland that was not really home after all.

Photo: Luciana Nechita Story: Shamsia Quraishi

Siromoni Gautam, a devout follower of the Hindu religion, was forbidden to wear his traditional clothes or speak his language by the Bhutanese government.

After 6 years of struggle in Bhutan, he returned to Nepal to face the difficult life in refugee camps, where 5 families living in a small house was common.

But his prayers were not to go waste. In 2008, he moved to Canada – a place he feels he can finally call home, one that let`s him practice his faith that is so dear to him.

Photo: Luciana Nechita Story: Shamsia Quraishi

The earliest memory Tika Timsinha has of his childhood is collecting firewood and selling it in the market to buy food for his family. His older brother did the same. And so did their father.

Life was not easy in the refugee camps, especially not after the fire that destroyed 1400 houses and they took refuge in the forest. But the fire was a blessing in disguise as it attracted the attention of international organizations who brought them to Canada.

The only thing they wanted to bring with them was their dreams and hopes for the future.

Photo: Luciana Nechita Story: Shamsia Quraishi

The religious paraphernalia spread out in their apartment in Canada testifies their love for their faith.

A Brahmin in the Hindu religion is a caste forbidden to leave their homeland and travel across the seven seas.

A life of poverty and struggle in Bhutan and Nepal forced them to leave everything behind and embrace a new land and culture.

`Canada is our home now` is their reply. They can finally be true to their faith.

Photo: Luciana Nechita Story`: Shamsia Quraishi

Elias and his family fled Columbia in 2011 when illegal armed group activity became unbearable. The most important thing they brought with them was this pan, nicknamed ‘India`. “This pan is part of my family and has stayed with me for decades” he says. It fed their family while they were internally displaced in Columbia before their arrival in Brazil. UNHCR/S.Roas

Leila fled Syria with her 6 children in 2012 due to political tensions and now lives in a derelict apartment in Greece. The most important thing she brought with her was a photo album, which reminds her of her life in Syria and her husband whose whereabouts are unknown. “Leaving my country was like death for me”. UNHCR/ B. Szandelszky

Varvara fled Georgia with her children when she read in a newspaper that her only brother had been killed. "The most important thing? For mothers the choice is easy. I took my children. Without them I would not have left anywhere." UNHCR/R.Kostrzyński

Msafiri Tawimbi fled the Democratic Republic Congo in 1996 with his family. Before reaching Tanzania they were ambushed by soldiers. His wife was killed and his 2 year old girl was left severely disabled. Msafiri kept this torn T-shirt - the one he wore when fleeing – to remind him of what his family went through.UNHCR/M. Senelle

Yacouba fled from the Ivory Coast travelling through the war in Libya until he arrived in Tunisia. He had to leave behind his life, friends and family. Today, Yacouba sees his new host country as “the opportunity to restart his life anew” and he hopes, one day, to be known for his music. The most important things he brought with him was a ring, given to him at the end of his childhood and a bracelet he was given by his mother on his 15th Birthday. (c) UNHCR/F. Kernin

Florence Mukeshimana and her 5 children escaped to Uganda from the Democratic Republic of Congo as a result of conflict between the army and rebel forces. She initially hid in the bush and later found out that her husband had been blown up by a land mine. “When I found out he was dead I lost hope and decided to leave the country.” The most important thing she brought with her is this saucepan which allowed her to feed her children. ©UNHCR/L.Beck

Juan and his family were forced to leave Colombia due to persecution by armed military forces. This photo shows Juan and his daughter holding their most important thing; a book titled “The Power of Tenacious Thinking”. The book was a gift from his mother “whenever I read the book, I think of my mother and it gives me the strength to continue”. © UNHCR/ S.Roas

Mohamed and Reena were tortured in Syria and finally left when members of the militia burned down their home.

The one thing that survived was a cell phone they now use to look at photos of relatives.

Mohamed hopes to open a restaurant in Bulgaria and provide a better future for their children. UNHCR/D. Kashavelov

Ambia Hatu fled with her parents, husband and their six children when their village was attacked and their house was burned down. The most important thing they brought with them was a bettlenut case. They didn't know when they would be able to eat on their journey to Myanmar. Their entire family chewed the bettlenut to stave off their hunger. UNHCR/S.Kelly

Wais is a refugee from Afghanistan. He was 15 when he fled to Poland because of growing feuds between local warlords in Parwan.

The most important things he brought with him were a gift from his mother. "My mother gave me a ring and some family pictures.

They are my most precious souvenirs," he says. UNHCR/R.Kostrzyński

Noela Sumaili, fled the Democratic Republic of Congo after her husband was caught by soldiers, she believed she would never see him again. The most important thing she brought with her was a bicycle. She was then re-united with her husband at the camp in Tanzania. “Gabriel couldn’t believe his eyes when I showed him the bicycle. At our level, owning a bicycle is a chance. We use it for small business, it helps our family”. UNHCR/M. Senelle

John Bosco fled fighting in the Democratic Republic of Congo. “Bullets were every day heard, I couldn’t stand it anymore so I had to leave.” The most important thing he brought with him was this bag as he had sold all of his clothes to buy passage on a potato truck across the border. He then used the bag to save the food he begged from people he met along the way. UNHCR/L.Beck

Imagine your family had 1 minute to flee your home.

What 1 thing would you take with you?