Jagdish Singh’s life had always been a mix of dreams and realities. In 2011, with hope in his eyes and ambition in his heart, he left his small village in Jalandhar, India and set off to Austria. He dreamed of providing financial support to his family, especially to his wife, and their three children, two daughters and a son, who were back home waiting for him.

For over a decade, Jagdish worked tirelessly as a newspaper and advertisement distributor. It wasn’t the glamorous life he had once imagined, but it was a steady job that allowed him to send money back home. Each month, he would wire the money to support his family, sending them not only financial security but also the promise that one day, they would be together again.

But life, as it often does, had other plans.

As the years went by, Jagdish’s health began to deteriorate. It started with unexplained pain, a weakness in his limbs that would come and go, but eventually, it became constant. His energy drained, his body grew frail, and despite visiting countless doctors, no one could pinpoint the cause. For four long years, Jagdish battled this mysterious illness, unable to work, unable to continue the only life he had built. During all this time Jagdish Singh received help from Caritas Austria, with that continuous support he could manage himself.

The financial support he had sent home began to size as his savings were drained. His family, although understanding, struggled with their own challenges. The once-vibrant man who had been their pillar of strength was now weakened, helpless, and burdened with debt.

After years of suffering, Jagdish realized he had no choice but to return home. In February 2024, after thirteen long years, He approached to Caritas International voluntarily to go back to his home in India. When he finally arrived, it was a bittersweet reunion. His family greeted him with open arms, but they couldn’t ignore the toll his illness had taken. Jagdish knew he had to find a way to rebuild his life; not just for himself, but for his family.

The URP Frontex Reintegration support program offered him a lifeline, a chance to start over. He got approved to receive the Reintegration Plan budget of 2000 Euros, with this assistance, Jagdish bought three buffaloes, a decision that would change his life in ways he never expected. He started a small dairy business, initially struggling to get the cows settled and learning the ins and outs of selling milk. The work was difficult, but Jagdish had learned from perseverance through his years of hardship.

Slowly but surely, he began earning from his new venture. His business brought in about 12,000 rupees a month—modest, but enough to cover his family’s needs and begin paying off some of his debts. It wasn’t a fortune, but it was a foundation. For the first time in years, Jagdish felt a sense of stability return to his life.

Grateful for the support he had received and the opportunity to start fresh, Jagdish found hope again to restart his life with his family and stay back at his native.
Caritas Austria has recognized Jagdish Singh’s progress and growth in his business. To support his continued success, he has been selected for the IRMA III Projects Booster Program. As part of this program, Jagdish will receive an additional budget of 1,000 Euros, providing him with the resources to manage his business more efficiently.

Jagdish’s story wasn’t one of overnight success, but of resilience, of hope in the face of adversity. He had lost much in the years he spent away, but he had also gained something invaluable: the strength to rebuild, the gratitude to cherish what he had, and the courage to keep moving forward.