The residents speak
The residents speak
O. “I left Guinea at the age of 15, seeking for a better life. My father was no longer there, and I didn’t know what to do with my life. It took about two years before I arrived in Libya. Those were difficult, terrible years that still pain me to remember. Finally, in 2016, I embarked on a journey by sea that was terrible, too difficult to describe. I arrived in Pozzallo. I was fortunate because I obtained a residence permit relatively quickly, but with the new laws, I faced difficulties in finding employment.”
F. “I left Mali due to the war. I crossed the desert to reach Libya, where I was held captive for six months. I was forced to work and subjected to torture. A Libyan employer helped me to escape. In Catania, I earned a welding diploma. My dream is to stay in Italy and work as a welder in an industry.”
A., originally from Mali, grew up in Libya, placed in foster care due to the war in his country (Mali). After his foster mother passed away when A. was 17, he was expelled from the house under threat.
“I grew up in Libya until I was about 17. When I realized the fear of being killed or tortured, I decided to come to Europe. The journey was perilous on a small boat to Catania. I studied and took courses in elderly, child, and disabled care. I feel very comfortable and at home at Granello, which is like a family to me. I turn to my tutor when I need medical or financial assistance for documents, clothing, or other needs.”
C. “At the age of 15, I decided to leave my country (Gambia) in search for work, independence, freedom, and democracy. I tried to leave Libya several times, but boat failures and bad weather forced me to turn back. The last time, we were intercepted by a Libyan ship that brought us back to prison. I managed to escape while working. I stayed hidden until I took a rubber boat. Saved by the Italian Coast Guard, I arrived in Catania. I study and work thanks to the ‘Granello’ project. (This year – 2023/24 – C. will obtain his high school diploma).”
M. “I left Mali in 2015 in search of work after my father’s death. I went to Algeria and worked there for a few months. I didn’t have a safe place to stay, and with other guys, we risked being attacked. So, we decided to go to Libya, where we were taken almost like prisoners. In the morning, they sent us to work in exchange for food and a bed. My ‘recruiter’ was a Libyan smuggler, and one day, to complete the load of a rubber boat, myself and some friends were forced to embark. The journey lasted for 3 days, and unfortunately, two people lost their lives. The Italian Coast Guard rescued us. I received significant help from ‘Granello’ for my residence permit, passport, and financial assistance. This provided me with peace of mind. We guys are like a big family, organized with shifts for cooking, shopping, and cleaning.”
Mo. “I left my country due to war, and I left alone, secretly, after the killing of my father and brother. The journey on a rubber boat was a terrible experience, and I was very afraid. I hope to find a better job to bring my family—my mother, sister, and brother—to Italy. I want to stay in Italy.”
S. “I left my family; there were many of us, and they treated me poorly. I was 17 years old. At the youth center in Catania, I studied up to the third grade. With Granello di Senape, I took an Italian course through ‘Catania Insieme.’ I’m trying to obtain a long-term residence permit and find better-paying work to bring my wife and children here.”