“I have taken refuge in music”

His father’s experience has inspired Luis with compassion and empathy for refugees. In common with UNHCR supporters just like you, he has extended the hand of friendship to people fleeing Venezuela for his home city of Lima.

If there are no dreams, you are like a robot

So many of the refugees arriving in Peru have so much potential. They want to learn, work, build new lives, and start their own families. When this happens, people can become valued and valuable members of their new community. They can strike up friendships and form strong bonds, just like Luis and Ebert.

Secure work is also a route to safety. Having a job in the formal economy protects people from exploitation and poverty. That’s why UNHCR runs multiple projects to ensure people can get to work, and be confident they are working in a safe environment. We run employment projects and training sessions and help refugees get the documents they need to prove their qualifications. We also run projects to help budding entrepreneurs develop their own business ideas.

Luis has big dreams for his future. He hopes to one day go to Miami and write music for himself and others – taking his talent to the world.

But first, he has to learn whether he will make it to the final three in the CasaTalentos contest. Who will be our winner? Watch the next episode to find out!