Interview Subject
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Contributing Organization
TSOS
Home Country
Nigeria
Description
Jeanusnat’s father, who was chief of a Nigerian community, was murdered by an enemy community. The murderer intended to kill Jeanusnat and his mother as well, but they fled to neighboring Niger. There, Jeanusnat parted ways with his mother, who stayed at the church with a family, and Jeanusnat crossed into Libya in the back of a truck. But once in Libya, danger persisted. He was confronted by some robbers who stabbed him with a knife and beat him, leaving injuries on his legs and shoulder. In Tripoli, a man offered him temporary refuge, where Jeanusnat stayed until he decided to travel to Italy by boat.
But today, in Italy, life remains harsh since Jeanusnat is undocumented and lacks access to medical facilities and other important resources. “I’m facing too much difficulties. So many challenges,” Jeanusnat admits. His asylum claim was rejected by the Italian authorities, so he cannot find legal work or housing. Jeanusnat reflects that, ideally, he would like to go to America because “that is where I would love to be so that I would be free.” He deeply regrets having left his mother in Niger, where she died without family. This leaves Jeanusnat with overwhelming pain.
Document Type
Interview
Interview Date
2018
Interview Location
Italy
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