Crumbling houses, broken walls, extremely reduced vital spaces, dripping washing hanging from windows overlooking shabby and desolate courtyards.

This is what a visitor first notices in the refugee camp of the district of Binagadi in Baku, where Rondine’s delegation and its students went last Saturday. An emotional and shocking moment that touches the soul of those who have never lived a similar experience and cannot imagine what it is like to live in those conditions.

“These children remind me of my childhood - said Davit, Georgian golden swallow, during the visit - after the war in 1992 I was in a refugee camp as well, I remember I didn’t have food or clothes, it was a very difficult moment. I used to ask myself why others could have these things and I couldn’t” - continued Davit, Dato for friends, while many children surrounded him smiling and curious.

It is moving to listen to the words of a young student from Rondine telling us about his difficult childhood. “I remember those times as if they were a bad dream, a nightmare I don’t want to have again. My family decided to leave Sukhumi, the city where I was born. I remember the camps where I lived were similar to this one in Baku. It was then that I understood the importance of receiving an education, because anyone can change things but has to know how and where to do it. My family gave me the opportunity to study at university, then I was able to do a Masters in Italy thanks to Rondine - explained Dato - studying at Rondine has given me the opportunity to meet people from different countries and have Abkhaz and Russian friends. Now I am sure we are not enemies and we can become close friends. Having the opportunity to dialogue with your “enemy” helps us to understand the real problems and solve them together” - added Rondine’s former student who now works as a intern at the Ministry for Reintegration, “a life’s dream” he says while embracing Franco Vaccari and Lelia, director of the Hall of Residence.