Odyssey, the Human Side of Migration By Ximena Echagüe and Anabella Salem
We are introducing Shaiwal from Somaliland, an unrecognized sovereign state in the Horn of Africa, recognized internationally as part of Somalia.
Shaiwal is an example of migrants who fled their countries, escaping from violence in its many forms. Some ran for their lives due to war; others were caught in the middle of dangerous political struggles; some suffered from harsh religious dogmas; others suffered from severe cultural discrimination, and some of them overcame all difficulties in the most unexpected ways, such as Shaiwal, who, as a Muslim, organizes tours of Jewish Brussels and is the very reason this whole project started.
The reasons are many but economic factors only play a secondary role combined with the main reason.
Odyssey is a story of resilience, ingenuity, and hope against all odds that aims to tell a human story, perhaps the most important, tragic and misunderstood one in modern times. As a photographer, I aim to portray it from the point of view of the migrants themselves, giving them the voice they are often denied.
Our objective was to give migrants a voice and the opportunity to decide how to portray themselves, both in their photos and testimonies. They tell us who they are, what forced them to leave their countries and often their families, how they managed to survive an often long and challenging journey, and what happened to them once in Europe.
Together with Anabella Salem from El Fantasma de Heredia, we worked to capture the words and writing of each of the migrants who decided to tell their story.
Ximena Echagüe (@ximena_echague) and Anabella Salem (@elfantasmadeheredia)
1- My name is Shaiwal, I am 29 years old. I was born in Gabiley, 54 kilometers from Hargeisa, capital of the Republic of Somaliland in the Horn of Africa.
2- Civil war after civil war, we were always on the move. We moved around Kenya, Ethiopia, and Djibuoti in areas where many of our clan’s immigrants live. We grew up among all these countries surrounded by Somalis in exile.
3- I did not really know my father because I was 5 years old when he died, «Peace to his soul». My father was very strict about education. If we were not ready for lunch we would not eat, going back to school with an empty stomach. He started working when he was 13 as a street vendor. During the beginning of the colonization, the foreign army forced my father to work for them to repair whatever was necessary. He was a handyman. I know that later, my father became responsible for the barracks. This is how he learned English, French, and Italian.
4- I still wonder how my mother was able to raise us alone in difficulty. 5 boys and 1 girl without dad’s help. She had great strength, determination, and serenity.
5- We didn't spend much money on food, but traveling from one country to another was expensive because the Somali currency had little value.
6- I was raised among difficulties. I understand them as something to be solved. We just have to act. That’s why I’m never anxious or nervous. For me, difficulties are a challenge.
7- From an early age, I wanted to be a greengrocer myself. This is my dream! Not on the market, but on my own place. I like this type of business. There was a fruit and vegetable stand like the one I wanted right in front of my house.
8- Often at home, there were many cousins; sometimes my brothers and my sister met there too. The most difficult thing to endure in Europe is not to see my family for so long.
9- As soon as I was 15 I started traveling alone and looking for a school to study. I continued my education in Ethiopia and Djibouti where I have got my baccalaureate.
10- My mother informed me only 17 hours before my departure to The Netherlands in Europe. She gave me money to buy clothes and shoes. She forced me to take with me traditional Somali food called «moukhmade», made of dried beef mixed with animal butter. It is very nourishing.
11- I landed in Amsterdam on a very cold morning. I was welcomed by Somalis from my own clan. I did not know them, but it didn't matter. Solidarity is the most important thing among us. I came to Belgium to apply for asylum because in Holland the language was an obstacle for me.
12- When I came to Brussels, I was greeted by my cousin's friend. A very nice person, Ali Bemy. He lodged me for three months before my first request for asylum which was denied.
13- After my first asylum application was rejected, FEDASIL sent me to a Red Cross Centre in the Region of Liège. All my papers were in Flemish. Towards 2013, I had the opportunity to leave the centre thanks to «article 207», so I settled in a small studio in Liege, but unfortunately, after just 3 months I received the second rejection of my asylum claim. I was then obliged to leave the studio and also Liège to go to the capital.
14- Arriving in Brussels, my friends from the Centre introduced me to Pierre-Alain, a former teacher who helped young homeless foreigners. Pierre-Alain has put our foot in the stirrup. He made a point about the schooling of all of us and we had a roof over our heads.
15- The house where I live with other immigrants in Brussels belongs to a religious charity order. After the death of our benefactor Pierre-Alain, a few months ago, the owners cancelled the contract. Ever since, we have been «anonymously» denounced.
16- The police make several raids a month. They stop and deport to those they can. They force us to pay a 200 € fine each time we are detained. This morning, they took six friends to the Zaventem prison, where Brussels airport is located. It seems that they will be expelled from the country.
17- They do not know what else to do to kick us out of the house, but we resist because we have no other option without papers or money. The owners have already cut off the light, gas and hot water.
18- I arrived in Brussels. I found a big city with lots of economic activity, so I thought there were opportunities for me. Thanks to my daily meetings, I have become a professional history guide, workings a volunteer a TOTCHEN VAN HOOP. Since then, I also participate in studies to reflect about society organized by the CEFOC each year.
19- I have always managed to have little jobs for little pay.
20- I submitted my fourth request for asylum today with the help of a private lawyer on whom I trust and hope.
21- I don't regret anything from my past, except to try and improve. I remain always an optimist and very determined to succeed.