CO.A.ST: Growing up in Europe: Amir’s Story in Poland

My Coming of Age Story (CO.A.ST), a collaborative EU project focused on strengthening guardianship support for unaccompanied children as they transition into adulthood. Led by the Italian Council for Refugees (CIR), the project brings together partner organizations from six European countries. 

Beyond the research and findings of the project, lie many stories that highlight the determination of young unaccompanied and separated children, the critical support that guardians provide for these children as they are coming of age and how essential it is to ensure that the support continues after they have transitioned to adulthood. This is reflected in the below story shared by our project partner ELIL. 

This is the story of Amir*, a young man from Afghanistan who recently turned eighteen. People often notice his calm demeanor and the way his face lights up when he talks about cooking, especially traditional dishes he learned from his mother. Since arriving in Poland, Amir has grown fond of school and everyday routines, and he is steadily improving his Polish, a language that once seemed impossibly difficult to him.

Amir arrived in Poland as an unaccompanied child, after a long and exhausting journey through several countries. At the time, he was frightened, unsure of where he would end up, and deeply worried about the family he left behind. Today, he has grown to be a thoughtful and resilient young adult. Although he still carries many uncertainties about the future, he balances school with vocational training and shows a quiet determination shaped by years of responsibility beyond his age.

Growing up in Afghanistan, Amir experienced instability from an early age. His childhood was marked by insecurity and limited access to education. When circumstances at home became increasingly dangerous, his family made the difficult decision to send him away, hoping he would find safety and a chance to continue his education somewhere else.

After arriving in Poland, Amir was placed in a foster care facility, where all the other children were Polish. The first months were confusing and overwhelming. New rules, a new language, and unfamiliar institutions made him feel isolated. Over time, however, a family court-appointed guardian (also known Kurator Sądowy) was assigned to him. This person became a crucial figure in Amir’s life, helping him understand the Polish system and accompanying him through key moments of his adolescence, especially during the procedure to apply for international protection. Together with other guardians at Amir’s foster care facility, his court-appointed guardian supported him with school enrollment, access to psychological assistance and coordination with social services.

With this support, Amir slowly began to feel more secure. He enrolled in a vocational school, where he continued to pursue his interest in gastronomy, and started an internship in a small local canteen run by an NGO. Cooking has become not only a skill but also a way to connect with others and regain a sense of belonging.

Recently, Amir turned eighteen. In Poland, reaching adulthood brings a significant change in legal and social status. He had to leave the foster care facility for children and move into semi-independent accommodation, which was only possible because he continued his education. The daily presence and protection provided by his court appointed guardian formally ended, and Amir was expected to take responsibility for his own affairs.

What worries Amir most now are the formal procedures related to his stay. His application for international protection is still pending, and the long waiting time causes anxiety. As a child, his court-appointed guardian managed most contacts with authorities and helped him understand official letters. Now, as an adult, Amir must navigate these processes on his own, and he fears that a misunderstanding or missed deadline could have serious consequences.

Despite these fears, Amir remains focused on the future. He wants to finish school, find stable work, and build a safe and independent life in Poland. While the transition to adulthood has been challenging, he continues to move forward with quiet strength, carrying with him the hope that one day he will feel not only safe, but truly at home.

*The child’s name has been changed to protect their identity.  

 My Coming of Age Story (CO.A.ST) is a project co-funded by the European Union and carried out by a consortium of organizations led by CIR – Consiglio Italiano per i Rifugiati (Italy), in partnership with KIND (Belgium and Slovakia), Alliance des Avocats pour les Droits de l’Homme (France), ELIL – European Lawyers in Lesvos (Greece and Poland), and PIC (Legal center for the protection of human rights and the environment, Slovenia).