From Gambia to Sicily, opening up to the new culture

When and why did you leave your country?

In 2017, there was a political problem, a dictatorship, the people had no voice, there was no freedom of expression.

Where did you start your journey?

Gambia

Which countries did you travel through?

Senegal, Mali, Burkina, Niger, Libya, Italy

Why did you choose this country rather than another country?

A good question! I don’t know because the journey was not planned. I wanted to go somewhere safe, somewhere that respected human rights.

What was your principal difficulty once you arrived in the host country?

Opening myself up to others, telling them what I had experienced as a personal life. It was difficult to communicate with others but with time I recovered. Even at school it was difficult to speak, not because I couldn’t speak, but because I felt closed, a bit shy. I didn’t want to speak in class and feel eyes on me.

Do you have a job?

Yes.

Do you have local friends

Yes.

What do you like most in the host country?

I can speak about Palermo, there are pros and cons. The good things are that the place is very welcoming and used to migrants because there has been a multicultural community for 30 years. Even from day one you manage to integrate.

What do you do in your spare time?

I go to the gym, do sports (running, playing football) something that doesn’t make me think about stress.

What do you want to do in host city?

I would like to graduate, I am studying economic development and international cooperation and migration. I would like to work for an NGO.

What do you think will help newcomers?

People who come here always have legal priority so information about the legal situation. It’s also a health issue because if you haven’t done anything you get a psychological disorder. Because in Europe to do anything you need a document.

What do you miss about your country?

My mum’s lunch.