My name is Elsa Shuguli de Mera, I am from Ecuador; born in the capital Quito.

I lived in Switzerland for eight years. I left Ecuador in 2000 because things were bad in my country – the government, the economy and other things.

I had my own business with employees, mainly making school uniforms.  I went bankrupt and ended up with many debts. 

Around that time lots of Ecuadorians were migrating overseas, so I decided to leave.  Initially I thought of going to Spain but that fell through so God helped me make my journey to Switzerland.

I found a job within one month of arriving in Switzerland.  And this is where I worked the entire time.  I was a nanny and did domestic chores.  That's the same job that most migrant women have.

I returned to Ecuador because of my children.  They were pressuring me to return.  Initially I thought I would be away just two years; I thought that would give me enough time to fix my problems.  But the years passed and finally when my children finished their university, then I decided to return.

I knew the return was going to be difficult, but there was a lot excitement at the thought of seeing my children again.  I lived in Switzerland many years and so I miss that life also; especially all of the comfort, the work, the people and my salary.

When I arrived in Ecuador my house was very run down.  It was a great disappointment to me.  I felt so awful that my children did all they could to paint, clean and fix the house as much as possible; they even bought furniture to make me happy.

Even though I lived in Switzerland eight years, I was not able to save.  I had too many debts when I left Ecuador in 2000.  I also had to send money for my children's education, for daily needs.  My husband lost his job, so everything I made I had to spend.

It's difficult for men to find jobs in Switzerland, there is a lot of control, it's easier for women.  I heard about some families that had been going through a difficult time and had applied to the assisted voluntary return programme.

I never felt racism or xenophobia while in Switzerland.  People are very kind there; domestic workers are not treated like help, they are made to feel part of the family and are invited to sit at the table, it is a beautiful thing.  On my days off I would go into the city.

After I returned I thought of restarting my sewing business; I had 25 years experience in this trade.  I wanted to buy some machines and get started, but I soon realized that there was a lot of competition and so I decided against it.  I am thinking of opening up a small shop.  Some family members who travel abroad bring me things like facial creams, water filters, that sort of thing, and I am selling.  I am also knitting. 

Luckily, I was able to pay for my children's education and now that I am back and without a job they are supporting me.

The authorities of the Canton de Vaud gave me 3,000 Swiss Francs (some USD 2,800) and I am investing some of this money in the items that I buy and sell.  .

It's difficult to decide what type of business to establish when there are so many shops in my neighborhood.

If the cantonal authorities and IOM had not given me this assistance, I would have stayed a while longer in Switzerland until I had earned enough to pay my airfare.  IOM's support is vital for migrants to establish themselves back in their country of origin.  But I don't consider myself a very courageous person, I am afraid of starting over. 

The Programme would be better if it provided the returnees with ideas, working closer with the people; showing videos and making the reintegration process more interactive.  Migrants return home, but our mindset is still tuned to the ways things are done over there.

I do think of migrating again.  Over there I could work without such a strict age limit; that is another drawback here.   If my children marry and start their own families I would like to go back to the same country and city.1

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1Every returnee is entitled to receive reintegration assistance as part of the Swiss Assisted Voluntary Return Programme, but must pay back the entire amount in case he/she returns to Switzerland.