Italy – Arthur, from Ghana to Italy, braving the sea

24 February 2016

(ANS - Camporeale) – This is the story of Arthur, one of twelve boys met on 1 October 2015 at the "Open Arms" community in Camporeale, near Palermo. It is one of the projects of the Salesians in Social Work on behalf of young refugees, asylum seekers and unaccompanied minors. With him there are young people from Syria, Iraq, Eritrea, Somalia, South Sudan, Egypt and countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

Arthur is 17 years old and does not remember exactly when he left his country, Ghana. He is the first of three children and has two younger sisters. His father is blind.  Following a robbery he was involved in - but he did not commit – he is wanted by the local police and decided to emigrate.

He was stopped several times at customs and often mistreated by men who asked for money. After many difficulties he succeeded in reaching Sebha in Libya where he was beaten with a burning stick that scarred his arm. Before leaving for Tripoli he was locked in a room. While he was being subjected to violence, his family were called to listen to his cries and a ransom was demanded. His uncle managed to send $1,000 and a few days later Arthur left Tripoli on board a small boat with 120 people. "If we did not stay in line and move quickly we would be killed. Two people died because they did not respect the rules," he says. After days of travel he arrived at the first-aid centre of Pozzallo in Italy. A new life began for Arthur.

Thanks to supporters and benefactors of the centre in Camporeale, these young people are now living in a safe and secure place, have food and clothes, can call their families, and talk to a mediator. They have begun a course in literacy and participate in recreational activities.

There is a constant presence of unaccompanied foreign minors in Italy. It is estimated that in 2015 more than 10,000 arrived. More than half disappear.  The people caring for them lose track of them and they are at risk of exploitation, trafficking and being deprived of their freedom.  Faced with this situation the Salesians continue the work of Don Bosco, "giving most to those who have least in life". They are responding to the appeals of the Pope and of the Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, and have decided to broaden the reception network with the establishment of a new community in Camporeale, in a building now dedicated to this one purpose.

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ANS - “Agenzia iNfo Salesiana” is a on-line almost daily publication, the communication agency of the Salesian Congregation enrolled in the Press Register of the Tibunal of Rome as n 153/2007.

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