Lost in Mauritania, a small group of unaccompanied minors returned to their home country ‘Sierra Leone’. IOM country offices in Mauritania and Sierra Leone collaborated under a family-tracing program to locate the children’s’ families whereabouts. After a long journey by plane, by boat and by bus the children were able to rejoin their families accompanied by IOM workers. Their return was possible thanks to the efforts of diplomats and consulates from the both countries.
They found themselves lost in Mauritania, some in the East to Nema, others in the West near Nouakchott. They come from two different villages but they are all from the same country, Sierra Leone. They share the same culture, religion, they enjoy playing the same games, speak the same ‘Sierra Leone creole’ language like all other kids they share the same childish dreams. K., U., A., Ad., I., Al., M. and S., from 8 to 17 years old.
They all met at AFCF (Female headed households Association) center in Nouakchott during their follow-up by IOM.
S., the youngest of the crew tells his story: ”We found ourselves travelling to another country to learn the Koran.” Mauritania is known for its koranic schools where students from the surrounding countries are sent to learn the Islamic principles and teaching.
Regrettably, upon their arrival some students were not admitted in the program by the teachers. Simply because of language barriers or their minor age, they did not all get admission. They found themselves lost in a foreign country away from their families. A few months later, after numerous struggles and pains they met Haroune, the president of Sierra Leone community in Mauritania. Haroune took care of them before directing them to IOM.
IOM country offices in Mauritania and Sierra Leone collaborated under a family-tracing program to locate the children’s’ families whereabouts. After a long journey by plane, by boat and by bus the children were able to rejoin their families accompanied by IOM workers. The IOM officers. Their return was possible thanks to the efforts of diplomats and consulates from the both countries.
Sa., uncle of K., U., A., Ad. and S. became their guardian after their parents lost their lives during the Ebola outbreak. Waterloo village was highly affected by the outbreak in 2014, and 2015. Many people died when outbreak erupted in Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Liberia. “When the Ebola virus stroke for the second time in 2015, I sent the kids away to save them. Ebola virus was amongst us. After losing most of our family members, I was traumatized and anxious, therefore I sent the kids away“ remembers Sa. After the second outbreak of Ebola, many families were frightened and chose to send their children in a safer environment away from any threats.
I., Al., and M. are from one of the surrounding villages at the center, they also travelled to Mauritania to learn the Koran. Sa., says he was not well informed on his choice. After learning his nephews’ story, his opinion about migration changed “I never knew that they would go through so much struggles. Upon their departure to Mauritania, I did not thought for a second that they could be facing such difficult moments, I recommended all my five nephews into the care of someone who did not provide me with enough information about their journey. All this time, I thought they were safe at school. One day, we lost touch, I did not hear from them! As I did not know where on earth they could be, neither their living conditions. After this experience, I think no one should move abroad without any information on the reality across the border. It is risky specifically for small kids.”
Like real brothers, those children experienced the same migratory journey. U, is the oldest of the crew. As he took care of the younger all along the journey, he gradually became their guardian in the foreign land. He displayed high sense of responsibility, courage, and maturity. However, U was only 17 years old. “Caring for four, should not be a teenager’s responsibility. It shouldn’t be the case.” explained U.
Although the situation appeared promising at first sight, the conditions turned out to be horrific at the end. However, these adventurous kids remained united. The unaccompanied minors benefited from the voluntary assistance and reintegration programme offered by IOM to return to their home country with dignity. This support could only be possible with the EU - IOM Joint Initiative for “Strengthening border management, protection and reintegration of migrants in Mauritania. This project allows many children to return to school and help their families create income-generating activities to support their daily needs.