Santo Domingo.- The National Migration Institute (INM RD) and UNICEF have introduced The Journey of My Life, a diary created to help migrant children aged 6 to 12 process and document their personal experiences during migration. The tool aims to provide emotional and educational support, encouraging children to reflect on their journeys, express their emotions, and foster a sense of identity and resilience amid change. The diary includes interactive elements like drawing spaces, photo sections, and writing prompts, helping children cope with the uncertainties and transitions tied to mobility.
UNICEF representative Carlos Carrera-Cordón highlighted the diary as a vital tool for humanizing the migration experience, noting that it turns a child’s journey into a story of personal growth rather than mere displacement. Dr. Wilfredo Lozano of INM RD emphasized the importance of giving visibility to children’s individual stories, often overlooked in migration discourse. Author Tilo Febres-Cordero described the diary as incomplete until filled out by each child, becoming a unique expression of their hopes, fears, and challenges—such as bullying or separation.
Printed versions of The Journey of My Life will be distributed to schools, shelters, and institutions supporting migrant children. With nearly one in four migrants in Latin America and the Caribbean being minors—and a growing number of unaccompanied children crossing dangerous routes like the Darién Gap—the initiative seeks to address urgent humanitarian needs and promote children’s rights through empathy, education, and mental health support.