“Composing and singing songs gives me strength. I transform the difficulties in my life into melodies, rap and hip hop. This way I get to take my breath and carry on.”
Diego (°1986) – Brazil
“We believed that the future was in Belgium. We believed in a better life for those who work hard. That’s what many people in Goiânia think: more than half of the Brazilians in Brussels come from here. In 2016, my wife, daughter and I took the leap. I worked illegally in construction for four years – until the coronavirus interrupted everything: no more work, no more dreams. Through the Protestant church, we heard about voluntary return. Now I repair cars in a garage and feel at home. My daughter doesn’t. She misses her school and friends, and she wants to return to Brussels later on.”
Did you know...
In 2024, 3,267 people returned voluntarily from Belgium to their home country. This represents an increase of 11% compared to the previous year.