VOICES From Migrations | Moussa Camara's story

“VOICES From Migrations” is a project co-funded by the European Union exploring untold migration stories. Moussa Camara is 35 years old and moved from Mali to Italy in 2011. This is his history.

Moussa Camara

“I worked between Mali and Libya, in my youth, transporting animals. But during my stay in Libya, war broke out, preventing me from ever returning home.

I was forced, at the age of 21, to take a boat bound for Italy. It was violent; very violent. We were beaten and shoved aboard. I was alone. I arrived first in Lampedusa, but after just one night, we were sent to Campobasso, then to Naples. 

Eventually, I was sent to a reception center and received assistance, including access to lawyers, to obtain my documents. I had never considered migrating to Italy before, but I greatly appreciated the welcome the Italian people gave me.

My first job consisted of picking oranges and mandarins, here in Rosarno. We earned €25 a day, working from morning to evening. The conditions were hard, and people weren’t always kind. But since I was used to hard work, I managed. 

It became clear to me that I had no choice but to adapt. The language was very difficult to learn, but I now understand it enough to work.

My hope is that Italy and other countries improve the conditions for reaching their territories. No one should suffer as I did.”

Interview conducted by: Liman Zhang, Laura Panis, Alessia Costantino, Rosetta Scarmato, and Camila Velez Martinez.

Interview of Moussa Camara, excerpt

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Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.