UNACCOMPANIED REFUGEE MINORS
AT LICEO "A.G. RONCALLI" MANFREDONIA
Hamed, Ibraima, Clement and Blessy are attending our school and they are refugees.
They wanted to escape from their countries because of internal conflicts and war. Refugees usually leave their country when they have no other choice and fear for their own life or safety or that of their family.
Blessy talked about the fear of abuse on girls. "I want a good future and a life free from fear with the direction and help from God. I want to be a better person tomorrow without being a slave to anyone. After finishing school I want to take care of myself and my family in Nigeria. I am waiting patiently for God's time because "God's time is the best".
Ibrahima is a 17 years old boy coming from Guinea. His father died some years ago. He left his country with the help of his brother who lives in Germany and his sister who lives in Morocco. They gave him the money for the journey. In Lybia, Hibraima was captured and imprisoned for three months, till his brother sent him more money to be released. He said in Lybia you have to pay for everything.
He reached Lampedusa on 11th August. Ibrahima wants to study and learn a job., but we are sure his dream is to reach his brother. He misses his family a lot.
We met him yesterday and at first he didn't want to talk about his journey.
They are all staying in Siponto at "Casa Scalabrini" run by Padre Pio Finizio a Scalabrinian missionary.
Chiara Riccardo