Hi Everyone,
Last Thursday I finished late and I was looking to grab sushis ๐ฃ on the way back home. Nearby the shop ๐ฌ, I met with Omar. He did not ask for money ๐ฐ but just something for dinner ๐ด. I offered him to order with me and we finally spent the all evening ๐ together. Native from Mali ๐ฒ๐ฑ, Omar has two children ๐จโ๐จโ๐ฆโ๐ฆ who are still living in Africa. Before the Libyan revolution ๐ซ, he had a peaceful โฎ๏ธ life with his family and a job as an electrician. When the Malian war ๐ฅ started in 2012, he enlisted in the government army and he fought a few years for his country. However, after the putsch, the president had to exile and Omarโs situation got worse. His family ๐จโ๐จโ๐ฆโ๐ฆ was endanger. Anytime during the night ๐, armed groups could come to his place and kill him with his family. He had to flee his country without his children and try to find a better place to live. From Turkey ๐น๐ท to Grece ๐ฌ๐ท on a small pirogue โต to his multiple attempts to cross the European border ๐, it took him two years. One of the most difficult part of his life, he said. After one month and a half in France, he does not have papers ๐, he has to sleep from time to time in the streets ๐ค, he has not seen this family for two years and he does not have enough cash ๐ฐ to go back to Mali. ๐I was speechless: he has almost nothing and he did not complain once during our dinner.
๐ ๐ ๐ One more time, people like Omar reminds us our incredible chance to live in a great country like France.๐ ๐
I wondered: if I was in his shoes, what would I do? Would I escape my country to find a better life for my family? I am convinced that discussing with refugees could remove many clichรฉs that we could have on them.
๐What do you think? ๐