A new life for Clara and her family, in Valladolid, Spain
A new life for Clara and her family, in Valladolid, Spain
Clara López Rodríguez walks through a park on the banks of the Pisuerga River in Valladolid, the city where she has lived since 2024.
Clara walks hand in hand with her granddaughter through the streets of Valladolid, a city in northwest Spain. She shares stories about the scents and flavors of her native Nicaragua, the green mountains, and the memories she still holds in her heart. They stroll through the park together, smiling, happy, living in peace.
Clara walks hand in hand with her granddaughter through the streets of Valladolid, a city in northwest Spain. She shares stories about the scents and flavors of her native Nicaragua, the green mountains, and the memories she still holds in her heart. They stroll through the park together, smiling, happy, living in peace.
For Clara, the most important thing is being with her granddaughters: watching them grow, supporting them in every step of their lives, and teaching them by example that even when life presents difficult challenges, there are always new opportunities.
Clara was born in Nicaragua and from a young age dedicated herself to work and social commitment. As a qualified Sociologist, she always believed in the importance of defending her community’s rights. However, in 2018, the situation in her country became unbearable. Her activism—and that of her children—made the family a target of threats. They had no choice but to leave everything behind.
With fear and uncertainty, but also determination, Clara crossed the border with her son and daughter into Costa Rica, seeking safety and a peaceful future.
It was in Costa Rica that they learned about the global resettlement program supported by UNHCR: a safe and legal pathway for refugees who, after fleeing their homes, could not find lasting protection in their first host country, to be welcomed in another. Spain has maintained a national resettlement program since 2009, under which families like Clara’s are received each year.
The process was rigorous, involving thorough interviews, a detailed analysis of their situation, and an informative process to prepare the family for what awaited them in Spain. Eventually, Clara and her family were selected and accepted the opportunity to start a new life in Spain through an innovative resettlement model that included a job opportunity. They weren’t just arriving in a safe environment—Clara would also have access to employment.
The Spanish government supported the process, ensuring that both the family and the company receiving Clara were prepared to meet and understand each other, thus facilitating real and sustainable integration into the country.
In 2024, Clara arrived in Valladolid with her son, daughter, and granddaughters. There, they received support from the NGO Accem, which provided initial assistance and helped with integration, offering support in areas such as housing, administrative procedures, healthcare, and the girls’ education. The organization accompanied Clara from the moment she arrived, mediating with the company to ensure her employment was a secure step toward self-reliance.
Clara receives a visit from her daughter and granddaughters at her home in Valladolid.
That same year, Clara began working as an administrative assistant at Cobra, a company in a forward-looking sector with high demand for skilled workers: renewable energy. “I felt very reassured knowing I’d have job stability,” she recalls. It wasn’t just a job—it was the foundation of a new life for the entire family.
Today, what brings Clara the most joy is walking with her granddaughters through Valladolid, sharing stories of Nicaragua, telling them about their ancestors, and passing on the message that effort and education are the best legacy she can leave them.
Her dream is simple yet profound: to keep learning, continue working, and see her granddaughters grow up understanding the importance of education and striving for their goals.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to live with stability and have my family close,” Clara says with a serene smile.
Clara’s story is an example of how resettlement can transform lives. Thanks to this program, 1,179 people have arrived in Spain between 2024 and early October 2025. That means 1,179 people just like Clara, who now share stories of courage and hope, showing that with institutional will, proper support, and employment opportunities, integration is not only possible—it’s a shared success.
