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.