14. Diellza Blakçori
Diellza works as a reception clerk but besides that, she also studies real estate. Her roots are in Kosovo. She is committed to being a voice for all women in the city.
"I dream of a Brussels where everyone is welcome and feels safe. A multicultural society, where communities live together with open minds and without prejudices, and where everyone gets equal opportunities and is allowed to be who they are."
My background
I am Diellza Blakçori, I am 36 years old and grew up in Pristina, Kosovo. During the war, when I was 11 years old, my family and I were forced to flee to Belgium. It was easy for me to get integrated thanks to the first school I went to. Administratively, it was hard to get regularised. After the war ended in my homeland, we received one expulsion order after another. But my new life was here, in Belgium. In Kosovo, I no longer had a home, my house had been burnt down and I could not start a new life once again.
Equal opportunities for all
Brussels should be a safe city for everyone, a city where you can be at ease walking the streets. Where we respect each other and where everyone has the freedom to be exactly who they are.
When I came to Belgium, I quickly learnt Dutch and French. I got good grades at school, but as an "undocumented illegal living in social housing" I was bullied by my classmates. At the same time, I am grateful for all the opportunities Belgium gave me. My difficult childhood never stopped me from achieving anything in my life. I have always continued to learn and I try to make a positive contribution to society.
Today, I am happily married. I am the mother of two children, I own an apartment, and I've been working for the same company for 12 years. And on top of all that, I am a third-year real estate student. I dream of starting my own real estate company one day.
"My background illustrates how perseverance, equal opportunities and the power of community support can enable a person to still achieve success, as well as build a new life, regardless of the obstacles in their path."