Gazzetta di Modena

Reggio Emilia I meet “Sam”, a pseudonym to protect the interviewee, over a cup of tea. The conversation takes place in Arabic. He is 23 years old and originally from Algeria. He told us that his journey from his country of origin to our province lasted almost a year. It was a journey full of obstacles, which also saw the horrors of Libyan detention camps.

Zaccaria Habachi*

Let's start with your story. Why did you decide to emigrate to Italy?

«Life in Algeria had become really difficult. Economic difficulties, lack of work, and the political situation pushed me to seek a better future. I decided to emigrate to Italy with the hope of finding an opportunity to start over, to live a safer life, for myself and for my family. It wasn’t an easy step, but I felt there were no other choices».

Tell us more about how it went.

«My journey began in Algeria and from there I went to Libya, where things got really bad. In Libya I was kidnapped by soldiers and held prisoner for six months. The conditions were inhumane. During that time, there was no food or water, the heat was unbearable and there was the constant fear of death. But one of the most devastating things I remember was the smell of the bones of dead migrants. Libya is hell for those seeking an escape. One episode that particularly marked me was when, during one of the tortures, a boy of only 14 years old pointed a gun at my head. They thought I was a spy, so they were whipping us to force us to confess things we had never done. It was a truly terrifying moment, but it was precisely at that moment, when I thought everything was lost, that I managed to escape. I saw a small opportunity and, with a pounding heart, I managed to flee».

It must have been a real nightmare. How did you find the strength to keep going?

«It was difficult, but I felt I had no choice. If I had stayed there, I would never have come out alive. The fear was constant, but the hope of a better life gave me the strength to carry on. I continued my journey, crossing the Mediterranean to reach Greece, and from there I continued through the Balkans, passing through countries like Macedonia, Serbia, and Hungary. Every step seemed like a miracle, but I had a goal: Italy. I felt that Italy could give me a new opportunity, even if the journey was not easy at all. When I arrived in Austria, I was so exhausted that I applied for political asylum, hoping they could help me. But unfortunately my request was denied. It was a very hard blow».

How did you feel at that moment?

«I felt lost. After all the long journey, all the difficulties, I thought I would finally find a place to stay, a place where my life could start again, but they told me to go back. I was really about to give up, I thought maybe it was better to go back home, even if it meant giving up everything I had fought for. But just at that moment, when I was feeling down, something changed. A bus passed by, and by sheer luck, I managed to get on. That bus took me to northern Italy».

I imagine it was a moment of incredible relief for you. How did you feel when you finally arrived in Italy?

«When I arrived in Italy, first in Trentino, then in Venice and finally here in Emilia-Romagna, it was like a dream come true. I can’t fully describe what I felt, but there was a sense of hope that I had never felt before. I was finally in a place where I knew I would have a chance. But it wasn’t all easy. The language, the culture, finding a place to stay... I was completely alone, without knowing anyone. At first I felt lost, but the thought that I had made it, that I had overcome all those dangers, gave me the strength to keep fighting».

Now that you’re in Italy, what is your hope for the future?

«My hope is to build a stable life. I want to learn Italian well, find a job and finally feel part of this community. I want to help my family and, one day, maybe be able to bring them to Italy. I hope that, despite all the difficulties I have faced, this country can give me a second chance. I want to show that, even if the journey has been long and full of suffering, with determination and hope you can build a better future. I want to live in a place where I no longer have to be afraid, where I can work and, above all, contribute to the community».

Thank you very much for sharing your story with us. We wish you all the best for your future in Italy.

«Thank you. My story is one of many, but I hope it can be a source of hope for those who are going through a similar journey. You should never give up. With perseverance and hope, you can build a better future».

*Student of “Silvio D’Arzo” school in Sant’Ilario d’Enza