Meet Souleman
Souleman in Lampedusa, Italy. 29 April 2017. ©Pamela Kerpius/Migrants of the Mediterranean
by
Pamela Kerpius
Recorded:
29 April 2017
Published:
May 2017
Meet Souleman.
19 years old and from Gambia.
The details of Souleman’s journey are unknown. We can assume he crossed the same six countries as most other Gambians: The Gambia, Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and the Sahara desert, and Libya, but it cannot be confirmed.
Souleman was at the same table for my interviews with Prince, Destiny and Yeussupha, but didn’t say a word. I found out why when I asked him his first question, “How long did it take you to reach Lampedusa?”
He speaks French and the West African tribal language Mandinka. Prince said Yeussupha could translate, but, as you will hear in next week’s profile, Yeussupha was too upset to speak.
Souleman crossed the Mediterranean Sea, was rescued, and arrived in Lampedusa Easter weekend 2017.
Souleman is an amazing human being.