Watch Surviving torture “We all know the problems in Somalia,” says Mohamed. “There are two problems: fighting problems and clan problems. I left because of these two problems…”
Watch Fahad’s years on the run Fahad began his irregular journey at the age of 13. “It was never my intention to embark on a journey to Europe,” says Fahad, a young Somalian man in his twenties who was born and raised in Mogadishu. When Fahad was 13 years old, Al-Shabaab forcefully tried to recruit him. It was then that he made the decision to run away to Ethiopia. He ran away without his family’s knowledge, in fear that they would be forcefully asked to reveal his whereabouts.
Listen Abdi's unforgettable journey Abdi was 17 when he embarked on his irregular journey in 2014. He felt the need to leave Somalia due to what he describes as a difficult situation—living in a war-torn area. Abdi left on his own, leaving his family behind, with an aim of getting to Europe. Despite allowing him to embark on the journey, Abdi’s family was oblivious of the dangers associated with it.
Watch Hassan’s decision Hassan had heard about the difficulties that come with an irregular journey, but he decided to try his luck anyway. His family did not support his decision to embark on the journey and tried to discourage him. But Hassan’s mind was already made up. His focus was locked on the destination and the new standard of life it represented.
Watch Amina’s perilous journey Al Shabaab sentenced her to death for defying their rules. That’s when she decided to run away, and embark upon a journey which she had limited knowledge about.
Watch Muhiim’s story Muhiim begun her irregular journey from Somalia in 2012 at the age of 17. As a teenager she was kidnapped, sexually abused and tortured by armed groups who had also wanted to marry her off. Luckily she was able to escape and get into Ethiopia. Whilst in Ethiopia, recuperating from the wounds inflicted on her, she became acquainted with the journey to Europe.
Watch Nothing is easy While living in Somalia, Abdisalan found himself having to choose between two fires. War had broken out in his home area that resulted in his his father being killed by Al Shabaab militants right before his eyes. Having nowhere else to go, he decided to flee Somalia. He embarked on the journey despite knowledge that it would certainly present its own problems.
Listen Destiny and hope 28 year old Bashiir is quietly seated in the room of a refugee center in Berlin. His demeanor is that of a person who feels out of place and isolated. His towering figure is hunched in a state of resignation, as if giving in to a battle.
Watch Held captive in the desert It’s a warm September afternoon and we’re sitting at a refugee center in Munich. With us are Osman and Mohamed, two Somali asylum seekers who have been living in Germany for three and eleven months, respectively. As they remember the journey they endured to get here, Mohamed is much more talkative while Osman is more reserved.
Listen The Untold Story From the Community Irregular migration, tahriib in Somali, has a horrible effect on the communities that are left behind, both financially and psychologically. This is less discussed by the community or in the media. Families suffer in silence and rarely have the opportunity to talk about the effects of Tahriib on those left at home.