Journey of eight: Embracing a new life in Montenegro

Viktor and Sophia came to Montenegro with six children, four boys and two girls, ages from 4 to 19. In May 2024, they were granted international protection, marking the beginning of a new chapter in their lives.

The decision to leave their home was made overnight due to the challenging situation in their homeland. The Balkans were utterly unfamiliar, and their children had never travelled abroad. At the time, their youngest daughter was only two years old.

Before their arrival, they had little knowledge of Montenegro. Upon coming here, they were all pleasantly surprised by the welcoming treatment they received, especially at the border.

As the family settles into a new life, they begin to appreciate the beauty of their surroundings. "Montenegro is wonderful," they say. "We love the sea, the stunning landscapes, and the pomegranate juice".

They noticed several differences between Montenegro and their home country. "In our country, everything that needs to be done today gets done yesterday, while in Montenegro, things are more relaxed and easier to arrange.  Also, what we like about Montenegro is that everything is very close by, and holidays are celebrated similarly to our country - with family, good food, and music."

Viktor and Sophia are educated musicians. Viktor played the accordion and was a prominent person at the university education level. His wife, Sophia, is a solo singer specialising in traditional music.

They are currently working online, which provides them with income to cover some expenses.

The transition to school life in Montenegro was smooth for their children. Three of their six children are attending primary school in Montenegro. “The school here is good,” one of the children shared. “Friends and teachers are nice, and the subjects are easy. My favorite subjects are physical education and music.” 

Maxim, the eldest son, found a way to express his creativity by crafting leather accessories, such as bags, wallets, jewelry and keychains.

He has set up an Instagram page to showcase and sell his work and dreams of starting his own business. He works with genuine leather he obtains from Italy. All these products are handmade and unique in design and quality of production.

UNHCR’s partner organisations, Red Cross Montenegro and Civic Alliance, provided maximum support. “They helped with school enrollment and health check-ups and made us feel genuinely protected by clearly explaining the entire process.”

Looking into the future, the family plans to stay in Montenegro. “We like the healthy lifestyle, the climate, and the people here,” they said. They had a message for others in similar situations: “Don’t be afraid of change. Every change leads to something better, just as it did for us. Don’t focus too much on the material things left behind. Instead, focus on the future and creating something new in your new country. Unity, family, and togetherness will lead you to the right place.”
 

By: Nina Scepanovic