“I wanted to give something back, and I think I got much more back myself”

As a Belgian living in Rome, Els wanted to pay forward the Italian hospitality she once received herself. Through Airbnb’s Open Homes program, she was contacted about hosting Fode, a young man who was recently granted refugee status in Italy. Over the course of his stay, Fode and Els went from being strangers to feeling like family.

In December 2020, the Airbnb Open Homes program transitioned to Airbnb.org. Airbnb.org is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to facilitating emergency stays for people in large-scale crises around the world. Your donation makes a difference. Donate at airbnb.org.