In a story as incredible as it is moving, we discover the story of Oumar, a young eight-year-old Malian boy who undertook an incredible solitary journey to pursue his dream of going to school. Traveling 7,000 kilometers across the desert and the sea, he braved the dangers of the Sahara, the violence in Libya and the storms in the Mediterranean.
Fleeing his village following a terrorist attack, Oumar found himself alone, far from his family, and had to face terrible ordeals to reach Italy. Her courage and determination are both admirable and heartbreaking, revealing the harsh reality of migrants seeking a better future.
Locked up in the hell of Ain Zara prison, Oumar was confronted with the horror of detention conditions in Libya, suffering violence and abuse. His escape, supported by other migrants, testifies to his strength of character and his unwavering will to survive.
His rescue at sea by a humanitarian ship offers a ray of hope in this dark tale, highlighting the resilience and solidarity that can emerge even in the worst situations. The meeting with another child named Oumar, met in Ain Zara prison, creates a moving link between these destinies crossed in adversity.
Oumar’s story reveals the need to pay special attention to migrant children, who are vulnerable and exposed to unimaginable dangers during their journey. It calls for collective awareness of the situation of migrants in the Mediterranean and for international solidarity to guarantee their security and their future.
In these uncertain times, Oumar’s story reminds us of the strength of determination and the ability of humanity to overcome the most insurmountable obstacles. Her journey into education embodies hope and resilience, inviting us to reflect on our own role in building a more just and humane world.