Hope

And the most important journey of your life

By Carolina Montenegro
Illustrated by Renato Moriconi

@Caixote Publisher

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 Chapter 1 - Syria

After that cold autumn night, everything changed forever in Amal's life.
That night, bombs rained down.
Amal woke up with a loud bang and thought it was thunder.
— Amal! Where are you? — her grandfather shouted.

Here, jaddi. - it is how you say 'grandfather' in Arabic. - Under my

bed.
The bombings had been happening for some time, but not so
strong, and not so close. The grandfather also went under the bed, and he and Amal
they stayed hidden there throughout that terrible night, while the walls
the house trembled.
They are like winter storms, Amal. It will pass soon.
explained the grandfather, after settling down and hugging the girl. Holding her hand,
he even smiled.
Amal felt safe in her grandfather's presence, always. During those times
winter storms of your childhood, when the heavy rains did not
they allowed her to sleep, the grandfather told her stories. His way of speaking, calm
He was full of confidence, he calmed her down.

— A very long story, jaddi. — she asked. — And beautiful, with heroes and the
mar.

On those stormy nights, before the war, grandfather would pick up a book in the
shelf in the living room and read to Amal. Her voice was hoarse and strong, and the stories were

so extraordinary, that Amal soon forgot about the thunders and the lightning that

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they fell outside.
His favorite tales were those of Sinbad, a brave sailor who
had lived in Baghdad, Iraq, centuries ago. Sinbad undertook seven great
traveling the world, facing monsters and sandstorms and
meeting peoples who spoke strange languages.
Amal would close her eyes and imagine the stories until she fell asleep.
Simbad, in Amal's imagination, had the face of her grandfather when
young. That tall, handsome, and brave man with a black mustache, whom she saw in the
photographs of his youth. The grandfather had also been a sailor and the sea and the

books were your great passions.

The grandfather was a serious man, with few smiles, but a huge heart.
He raised Amal since she was a baby. When her parents died in the
Iraq War, the grandfather escaped with the little orphan and they went to live in a

village in Syria.
The cradle of great civilizations, of ancient languages and of millennia
cultures. An older place than time — that is how grandfather described it.
Syria.
It was by teaching Amal to read and write that he explained to the girl about
these ancient peoples: the Assyrians, the Persians, and the Phoenicians. She has never been to a

school, as the closest one was two hours away on foot, but he had his grandfather
a great teacher. One day, he said:
It is in books that the secret of life lies, Amal. Everything in the world
only exists because it is represented by a word, a name. And it is the words
what makes the eternal man, because they live forever.
On that night when bombs rained down, however, the grandfather did not catch

no book. He had already exchanged most of them for food and other items
basics. He had been doing what he could because, with the intensification of the war,
had to close the doors of his fruit sale. There was no longer any way to earn.
their support and the situation was becoming increasingly difficult.

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 3

Amal, you can't stay here anymore. It's very dangerous. You need to
let's go!
Leave? Amal couldn't believe what she was hearing. It was the day
following the heavy rain of bombs and the grandfather arrived with this announcement,

superball.
-- Leave? But where are we going? -- Amal wanted to know.
You are going alone, my granddaughter. I am very old, I can't accompany you.
to accompany. But you have to leave to live. Your name means
"hope," my granddaughter, just look. You will go, for me and for your parents. You will go

discover the world, like Sinbad. It will be the most important journey of your
life.
What he was saying sounded absurd. How could they separate? How
Could he suggest that she leave without him?
Amal couldn't say a single word. Her heart was beating so
quick. The idea seemed not so unthinkable to him only because, a few months ago,
people had started to leave Syria because of the war. Families
whole, sometimes. Or just women with their children. In many cases,
children and adolescents alone. Would this happen to her too?

Amal had been living in that village for 12 years. During the winter, it snowed.
it rained a lot. Summer, on the other hand, was dry and very hot. But it was spring that

Amal liked it more because of the smell of bread and jasmine that was around.
streets at that time of year. It was when she took the opportunity to collect jasmines

in a little wooden box, your greatest treasure. That was your home. How to go
although?
Amal felt a tear rolling down her cheek.
But I don't want to go without you, Jaddi,
The grandfather hugged Amal tightly and, without crying, spoke with all the certainty of

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world
I will always be with you, my granddaughter, do not worry. When
If you need anything, think of me. I will also be thinking of you.
But the most important thing is to remember what Rumi, the greatest Persian poet, said.

Everything that exists in the universe is within each of us. That's it. Ask and
always listen to yourself, Amal. You will find the answer — your grandfather used to say everything

this looking her in the eyes.

Ah, take this with you, continued the grandfather, handing the girl a
yellow and white object, with a wavy surface, that Amal thought was a
type of stone. That strange object was supposed to be your amulet during the
journey.
Amal held tightly the gift that her grandfather had just given her.
He understood, then, that he had no choice left.

Amal did not understand the war. Her grandfather explained to her that, in addition to this, there was

many others around the world, and that always caused a lot of suffering. Why do the
Did people do this to each other?
It is really very difficult to understand, Amal. It is a question without an answer.

easy. I think wars exist, on one hand, because there are people who do not
they can reach an agreement. But mainly because, on the other hand,
they can be advantageous for some powerful groups, you know? — said the grandfather
with a despair that hurt Amal. — But we will have to continue this
important conversation at another time, because now we need to fix the
your backpack. — he continued, as he stood up, although the granddaughter still
had so many questions to ask.
What would happen next was: Amal would leave by car with a friend.
from the grandfather who was leaving for the neighboring country, Turkey. Just by crossing the

Amal's border would already be in less danger, the grandfather believed. It wasn't the

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ideal way to make that trip, hitchhiking and alone, but the grandfather does not
had money to take the granddaughter out of the country in another way. From Turkey, she

I would need to take a boat to Greece and then another boat to Italy.
There, finally, she would meet her uncle Malik, the brother of Amal's father, who lived
In Sicily there were many years.
Repeat this address after me, Amal. It's important that you memorize it.
name of the place where your uncle Malik lives. I sent him a letter telling about your
Go there. He will be waiting — said the grandfather, handing her a piece.
wrapped in plastic. — And take this with you.
When Amal opened the ticket, she couldn't understand anything.
But this is written in a foreign language, jaddi, Amal said.
This is your uncle's address written in the alphabet used in
Europe, the Roman. — he explained. It was very different from the Arabic alphabet, which

Amal knew. The girl was worried about how much of the unknown she would have.
ahead. She hardly remembered Uncle Malik, only his big nose and his
crooked legs. They had only seen each other once, when he came to Syria to visit
the grandfather. But that was many years ago.

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Chapter 2 - The beginning of the journey: Turkey

The time had come for Amal to say goodbye to her grandfather. She wanted more time, but

the grandfather had decided that he could no longer wait. The conflict had arrived
to their village. The only thing that mattered to the grandfather was to get Amal out of there.

as fast as possible.
At the time of departure, shortly before dawn, Amal handed over
for the grandfather the little box where he kept his small white flowers.
Keep saving them for me, jaddi. They won't go by many.
springs until we meet again.
The grandfather had tears in his eyes, but he quickly shook his head and they did not

They fell. They hugged each other tightly and Amal realized that her grandfather's heart

she flew away quickly. He was also scared. He pushed her away and handed her a
small bag with the little money he had to help on the journey.
Amal gathered courage and got into the car. In the back seat, already there
they squeezed four women and now her. In the front seat, driving, was the
grandfather's friend, and, next to him, his nephew, who was older than Amal. All
villagers.
They left. The trail of dust left by the car soon hid the grandfather, who
I would stay there still for a while, before walking with my shoulders.
bent back home. At that moment, Amal understood that things
they would never be like before. He squeezed the small amulet in his hands and closed
the eyes. He heard his grandfather's voice clear and strong, saying a single word: courage!

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 6

The car route from the village of Amal, in northern Syria, to Turkey seemed
that would have no end. Besides the car he was in, many others were also doing
the same route, filled with women and children. They were entire families,
hundreds of people walking in the same direction, towards the border, to
to escape from the war. Amal's heart was beating full of hope that everything would turn out well.

certo, porque assim planejou o avô.

Suddenly, the vehicle broke down in the middle of the road, still in the north of

Syria. There was only horizon and sand all around. And now? Would they be
found by soldiers? Or by rebels? Would they be hit by bombs? Or
for gunshots?
One of the women told Amal not to worry, because soon
They would find a solution. They stayed in the bank behind the car,
vigilantes. The man driving and his nephew opened the hood of the car to
tried to fix it, but they seemed to not know what to do. The car wouldn't start.
Amal couldn't take her eyes off the road. After a while, a
The pickup truck appeared and parked next to the car. The men talked.
about something she couldn't hear. It was only when her grandfather's friend told them

she understood: the women and she would continue the journey with
that ride.
They climbed into the truck bed and saw the man and his
the nephews became smaller and smaller as they moved away in height
velocidade. Amal se sentia grata pela ajuda e, ao perceber esse sentimento
Inside his chest, he heard a strong word: solidarity. It was as if the grandfather
was reminding her that this continued to be an important value
among the Syrians, even in the midst of the fear and despair imposed by war.
It was almost nighttime when they arrived at the last city in Syria.
before the border. The man left Amal and the women and continued his journey. If
If Amal and her companions had a passport, the next step would be more.
simply: they should go to the border post and leave the country in a way

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regular. But they did not have, as was common in small villages
from Syria. Therefore, they needed to take the riskier path, which was
to abandon the country secretly. They walked silently along a trail for a
two hours. That's when Amal realized that during the journey she had
exchanged very few words with those women. Even so, I knew that
She should continue the journey with them, because together, they could help each other. They arrived.

so to the metal fence that separated the two countries. There, a man them
he was waiting and it was he who helped them cross to the other side, cutting a
piece of the fence with a big pliers. Everything had been arranged since the
beginning.
Was that it, then? Had Amal managed to leave Syria? How different
Would it be that place of everything she had ever known? It was so dark that Amal
I didn't know what to expect, but kept walking anyway. It was just
when it became clear that she realized they had arrived at a great
camp of people seeking refuge near the Turkish city of
Gaziantep.

The women sang in Arabic and celebrated having managed to arrive.

Ali. Amal didn't understand so much joy. She felt relief for being safe,
that's true, but not happiness. The Syrian women wanted to stay in Turkey,
like your other countrymen who fled from the war, and wait for the end of the conflict
so that they could return to their homes. But for Amal, it was different.
Your journey was just beginning. Your grandfather's instructions were clear:
she should continue on to Italy, no matter how long it took to get there
there.
The fears, along with the longing for home, made Amal's body ache.
She realized that she was hungry. The snack that her grandfather had put in the backpack.

it ended on the same day and she had no idea how she would find food. She left
walking through the tents of the campsite, holding tightly in
hand, your amulet.

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 7

Amal wandered around the camp all day, wondering

where I would sleep and how I would arrange for food. As the day was coming to an end,
the more worried she became. It was getting dark and cold.
It was when a boy with almond-shaped eyes and very black hair
Lisos, apparently a little older than Amal, came to talk to her.
his face was sunburned, but by his arms, she could tell that he
he had very white skin. He said something in a language that Amal did not
understood.
Are you stupid or do you speak Arabic? asked the boy, now speaking in
the language that Amal knew.
I speak Arabic, of course,
My name is Ali,
He saw a very young girl, curled up and with her eyes wide open.
her lips were dry and her skin, pale. — You look lost —
Ali continued. He knew the feeling very well. It hadn't been long since
he had been in that same situation, alone and afraid. Then he asked:
Are you hungry? If you want, you can have dinner with us.
Amal didn't know what to answer. She was starving, but she didn't
I knew the boy and didn't really like him much. Who would be the "we" in
Who was he referring to? Honestly, her desire was to refuse and leave. But
What other alternative did she have? She thanked Ali for the invitation and said that she was

even hungry. Arriving at the tent where he lived, she met the family with
where the boy lived.
They are not my parents, Ali explained. But when they saw me
traveling alone, they welcomed me as if I were their son.
Ali explained to Amal that, just like him, the family that had welcomed him
it was a minority from Afghanistan, called Hazara, persecuted in the war.
— Afghanistan is very far away. We walked for months to
getting to Turkey. We didn't have money to travel any other way. - he/she said

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the boy.
Due to the conflict, one of the new companions interjected
Ali's journey, a man in his forties - we lost everything that
we had there in our country.
So you are also running from the war, like me, he noted.
Amal.
I am actually going to get help for my brother, who
is very sick. Because of the war, there is a lack of everything there in Afghanistan,

mainly medicines and hospitals. — said Ali. — I am going to Germany, where

There are doctors who know how to treat this disease he has in his blood. When
when I get there, I will convince them to seek and take care of my brother because they will

understand how serious it is. — explained the boy. He carried with him the
medical exams of the brother wrapped in plastic and tightly glued to the body,
on the inside of the coat. Just like Amal carried the address
of uncle Malik.
I didn't know there were children from other places traveling alone.
I thought it was something that was happening only in Syria. I had no idea that
there were other wars as terrible as the one happening there. — said
Amal, while hurriedly eating the lentil soup. The food was still
very hot, but she was very hungry.
There are thousands and thousands of other children. Here, at the camp.
mesmo, há muitas. Algumas são até menores que nós dois — Ali contou.
Amal remembered having seen many children while walking.
through the tents. He felt a different pang in his stomach. It was no longer
hunger. It was sadness.
The boy noticed the change in Amal's face and tried to divert the
subject. Then he asked her:
What is the thing you like most in the world?
Amal distracted herself from her sad thoughts and remembered home:
Ah, my grandfather, your stories, the jasmines...

Ali was not doing very well in his attempt to make Amal more

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content. He then decided to tell stories about Afghanistan. He talked about
the things I liked the most: kites and pomegranates!

Walking back and forth, he showed Amal how he had

he launched his kite in a competition. Then, he recounted the day he played
with friends kicking pomegranate as if it were a ball. Because of a kick
Ali's stronghold, the red fruit exploded and spread seeds everywhere.
Amal laughed for the first time since she had left home.
Ali's foster family offered their roof for Amal to spend the night.
With a full belly and distracted by Ali's stories, Amal fell asleep, curled up.
There were seven people sharing a tent.
The next morning, he woke up to the smell of tea and warm bread.
Good morning, Amal! Come join us,
Ela se sentia grata. Conversou, riu e se deliciou com a comida recém-
prepared: a piece of bread and a cheese that seemed like labneh, that Amal
I was eating at home.

As she was getting ready to leave, Ali approached her:

— You know, Amal, I think I wouldn't have survived if it weren't for this.
family. I learned that, as important as it is to help others, it is to accept help.
I hope you find all the help you need along your way, and that you know it.
to accept.
Amal smiled. It was Ali who gave her the advice, but he could very well have
I heard the grandfather say those wise words. He hugged Ali and thanked everyone.
heart family, for the welcome and for the learning. And then said goodbye.
He wished he had brought jasmines with him to leave as a gift, but, in his
The small backpack only had two sets of clothes and a towel.

Walking and hitchhiking along the road, alongside thousands of other Syrians.
who were fleeing from the war on foot: this is how Amal arrived, after a few days, at

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Izmir region. Along the way, people helped each other, sometimes sharing the
little food that they had, or carrying those who were sick or
too tired. They were all heading towards the sea because they had the same
goal, to take a boat heading to Greece.
Ah, Amal was going to see the sea for the first time. It was what she wanted the most:

to know the sea that your grandfather loved so much and that was the heart of many

stories she heard since she was little.

When he spotted the water far away, and the city beyond, he ran as fast as he could.

quick as it can. Upon arriving at the beach, she fell to her knees in the sand, speechless.

How much beauty can fit in one place? she wondered,

while admiring the waves, the wind, the seagulls, the boats passing by
long.
The sound of the sea was beautiful like silence. It carried the thoughts of
Amal back home and to grandfather.
Little by little, walking on the sand, she noticed the various small objects.
colorful things that were on the ground. She bent down and, surprised, noticed that they resembled

with your amulet. It wasn't a stone, after all! It was one of those hard shells.
that protect mollusks, which she had seen in books. What were they called?
Really? Shells! Your grandfather had given you a shell. A shell to
to protect her and to show the way to the sea!
— A shell! — Amal said, laughing loudly. — Jaddi, I'm here! And the sea is
even more beautiful than I could imagine! — shouted at the top of his lungs, between
laughter and tears.
The sea was blue, crystal clear, and calm. It bore no resemblance to the dangerous sea.

the adventures of Sinbad or the nightmares of the girl. Amal dropped her jacket and
os tênis na areia e foi logo colocar os pés na água. Era tão fria! Sentiu o gosto:
how salty! Amal closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and jumped into the sea with her clothes on.

everything. It was one of the most delightful moments of his life.

Amal saw fish, gathered shells, played in the sand. She spent the whole day in
beach and only realized that time had passed when the sun began to set.
It was the first time since the beginning of the trip that he had forgotten everything and

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simply playing like a child.

Chapter 3 – The crossing: Greece

From the beach, Amal could see the city of Izmir, which faced the sea and the
port. He went to where the boats were and there he found a group that
he also planned to cross to Greece. There were so many people fleeing the war
through that route she will find other people in the same situation as hers
it wasn't difficult. Amal asked to join them and inquired about the
travel conditions. They would take a clandestine boat because they didn't even have

money or visa to enter Europe with regular transportation.

To pay for that crossing, Amal would use all the money her grandfather had.
given to her. It was all very risky.
Even so, they would leave the next day.
Amal spent the night under a large bridge, along with the other people.
who were waiting for the boat. One of them was Layla, a girl of his age who
she also traveled alone. Layla had skin and eyes as dark as the
hair that was almost completely hidden under a veil
pink.
Amal introduced herself and asked where she was from.
- Somalia, in Africa. And you?
Amal told her about her departure from Syria and the journey to Turkey.
But what she really wanted was to know more about Somalia.

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 It is a country very far from here, where there are camels, warriors, and even

pirates — said Layla. Amal realized that she also liked to tell stories.
stories.
— Pirates? Like in the books?
No, the ones from there are much worse. They exist because of the war and the
difficult situations that she causes. Everything was destroyed back in my country. My family
we even lost the house where we lived. We had to live on the street for a while, but

Fortunately, some relatives took us in. Until then, it was manageable. But it was
when they tried to marry me off to a sixty-year-old man, that's when I ran away.

said Layla
— How awful! Why would they do this? — asked Amal.
I also found it horrifying, but there the marriage of girls with
much older men is common. Adults think it's a good idea.
They say that marriage helps to protect us.
— But why do they think that way? — Amal wanted to understand how to get married.

children could be good.

Well, they think that marriage is a way to give a new home to
the girls. And the truth is that it ultimately prevents many from going hungry. But

I didn't want this for myself. Oh no. My dream is to study.

Amal immediately took a liking to Layla. She had so many stories to
Count. Amal listened to everything, impressed. Layla had been traveling for months,
had crossed deserts and seen pyramids and even the dervishes, which are some
men who pray dancing and spinning like tops to get closer to God.
An impressive spectacle by the way Layla told it.
How big the world is! There are so many different things that I never
I had never imagined — exclaimed Amal. — Where are you going?
Layla said she planned to arrive in Sweden, where an aunt of hers lived.
Do you know where it is? It's up in northern Europe. They say it's very cold there.

but I don't mind. There my aunt will let me study.

They spent the night talking about their adventures and Amal became
Thank you very much for this. Ended up getting distracted. For a moment, did not think about the

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dangers of that crossing and not in what he would find on the other side of the sea.

10

When it was time to board, Amal was surprised by the size of the boat - which in
true, it wasn't a boat, but a rubber dinghy – and with the amount of
people who would need to fit in it. About a hundred people would crowd the vessel
precarious: entire families, with pregnant women and children.
There were hardly life jackets for everyone, only for the small ones.
Despite the crossing fee being so high, the boat was very precarious. Amal had
so much fear and wondered if she should really continue the journey. Was that it
What did the grandfather have in mind?

Amal looked around and realized that the other members, Layla
inclusive, they did not seem to have any doubts about boarding. On the contrary. They fought

to board the boat first and choose a place to sit. Try your luck at
Europe was better than staying, whatever the risk they were taking.
And the boatmen took advantage of this despair of the people to profit.
Amal managed to sit near Layla, but could hardly move.
the boat left in the late afternoon. Then a huge silence replaced the hustle and bustle of the

boarding. They must have all been as anxious as Amal. It didn't take long.
so that only sea and more sea could be seen all around.
As it got dark, Amal's anxiety diminished. She had the
feeling of being inside one of those bottles that are thrown into the sea and
I was floating for days and nights without a certain direction. Next to you, Layla was praying.

short and afraid of the dark and thunderstorms, because, just like Amal, she
did not swim very well.
But the weather was still good and the waves and the winds were not too much.
strong. Funny, Amal started to find the dark of the sea beautiful, because it was
as if the light of the moon and the stars shone brighter. There was no way not to.
to think of the grandfather and the stories of the journeys he had made as a sailor. There would be

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Has he seen a sea like this or a moon like that? Such thoughts left
Amal was happy because it felt as if she was now sharing adventures with her grandfather.

You could hear a baby crying. Some people had

managed to sleep sitting up, but Amal, no matter how tired she was from the
travel, I couldn't. She kept recalling the many days of walking, of
rides, rain, cold and hunger.
After hours at sea, Amal saw a light on the horizon that was turning on and
It was turning off. Could it be just your imagination? She asked the man who was piloting.

the boat and he explained to her that it was a lighthouse, a signal to help the boats to

we will find solid ground.

It means we are almost there.
Amal couldn't believe it, what joy and relief she felt. Even
So, the girl trembled a little, from cold and from nervousness. It seemed, at the same

time, so far and so close to the lighthouse. She spent the next hours watching the light
to grow on the horizon.
— Land, land in sight! — the phrase repeated in Amal's head, without
stop. She just wanted to step on solid ground, finally reach Greece.
It was when the explosion happened.

11

The thunder was very strong.

For Amal, the deafening noise seemed to have come from underneath the boat.
Would it be a whale? A shark? An even more terrifying monster? She became
terrified when she saw that the bottom of the precarious boat couldn't support the weight
there were so many people and it had broken. Water was coming in from all sides. Layla had

woken up scared and now was screaming.

Around, people became desperate and tried to cling to something.
things so they wouldn't sink. Only the children, like Amal and Layla, wore life vests.
lifeguards and almost no one knew how to swim. Soon there was no more boat and Amal

17
debated amidst the waves, which, from time to time, muffled the screams and the
choros. He looked for Layla around him, swimming through the people, but he did not find her.

found. Had to step away from the crowd a bit so they wouldn't try
to hold on to her in the midst of despair.
It was dark. The water was cold. It was hard to breathe.
I'm very sorry, jaddi - thought Amal, suffering even more to think about the

sadness that the grandfather would feel if he knew what was happening to her.
She closed her eyes to clearly remember his face.
With eyes closed, it was as if the noise was diminishing to
few, distancing themselves. In her head, her grandfather was telling her something that she didn't

I could hear:
What is it, jaddi? Speak louder.
Friendship, Amal. Friendship.

— What a strange thing to say in a moment like this — he thought

Amal.
She had given up swimming and trying to stay above the waves. Not
I could move more, my arms were tired and I had cramps in them.
legs.
What cold - thought Amal.
When, suddenly, Amal opened her eyes again, she was still in the
sea, and people kept screaming. She realized that she had fainted and
I had no idea how long I had been like this. Now, a boat is
approached and pointed a small flashlight. Layla hugged her from behind and helped her to

keep your head above water. Someone was shouting something for a loud-
speaker. In her ear, Layla struggled to say very loudly:
They came to save us! We are safe! Hold on, Amal!
Amal fainted again. From fear, from hunger, from the sea.
When she realized again, she was already lying on the sand. Around her, there was
two people dressed in white, looking at her. Could they be angels? As soon as
Amal managed to sit up and say that she was fine, they hurried to help.
another person. Many people needed help at the beach. Layla went to Amal

18
and hugged her, laughing and crying at the same time:

We were rescued, my dear! Let's live, darling!

When Amal fainted in the sea, Layla saved her life.
The boat was near the beach when the explosion happened. It was the
luck. The rescue teams managed to reach the boat soon. They me
they heard us scream and saved us — Layla said, not even taking a breath to speak.
After the first aid on the sand, the girls were taken to
a hospital on the Greek island of Lesbos. Once on solid ground, they made themselves

company and it was as if they had known each other for a long time.

I am alive thanks to you, Layla. I will never forget this.

Friendship, Amal, is this. It is one of the most beautiful feelings of
the world. It does not come with us, as happens with love for family.
We are the ones who choose our friends. I'm sure you would.
the same thing for me.
They hugged and cried together.
How lucky I have been! Despite everything, life has been very generous.
with me — Amal was talking to herself. She knew that so many other people did not.
they had managed to cross the sea.
She fell asleep that night missing her grandfather, but happy to be
warm and safe at the hospital. She wanted to believe that the most dangerous part
of your adventure had already passed.

19
 Chapter 4 – Italy

12

Amal was discharged from the hospital in a few days and taken to a field of
refugees from the region, where there were many children. There, everyone lived in tents and

they relied on the help of humanitarian organizations that distributed food

and basic survival items. Unaccompanied children slept in
separate tents, which were located in a protected area of the field. Layla had
arrived there earlier and came to greet her friend. She was happy because she had

managed to call aunt in Sweden to give news.

It's just a matter of time before I go meet her! — said
Layla.
Amal was happy for her friend, but became sad when she remembered that she couldn't

talk to grandpa so easily like that. He didn't even have a phone. She could
send a letter by mail, but it would take months to reach Syria. If
he arrived. Her only hope of talking to him again was through her
Uncle, when he arrived in Italy. He would find a way.
The day after her arrival, Amal was called to talk with the
Greek authorities who took care of the field. They wanted to interview her and, in order to

yes, a young Syrian interpreter was translating the conversation. She was very friendly and

Amal felt relieved to be able to talk to someone who knew her country. Already
the men of the Greek government, in suits and ties, remained very serious,
taking note of everything. In the end, they explained to Amal that she should stay in the

Greece while they were making their documents. Amal explained that she couldn't, that the

The grandfather's instructions were for her to go to Italy. But they said
that, unfortunately, they could do nothing. That she would only be released to go
to another European country when they received their refugee documents. They
They repeated, as if to reinforce: she would be recognized as a refugee.

20
 From the smile on the faces of the men, it seemed to be good news,
but she did not fully understand its meaning.
It means that you are now protected, Amal. You cannot be sent.
back to Syria against his will as long as there is war there, and will receive
documents to live here, safe — explained Sara, the interpreter.
After the interview with the authorities, Amal and Sara walked and
They talked for hours. It seemed like they had known each other for a long time. Sara had the

a very calm voice and large green eyes. She couldn't be more than 30.
years.
— I also fled the war in Syria — he recounted. — I lost my father in one.
bombing and my mother and I decided to come here with my two brothers
minors. We live here in the countryside and I work to earn something
support for us.
She showed Amal a tent where a family was preparing and selling.
Rahat. Amal immediately recognized the smell of burnt sugar that
I loved it so much. Sara bought the candy and shared it with Amal.

— Sara, I didn't even know that refugees had documents and such. And, less
still, there were so many people in this situation.
Well, it is a right established a long, long time ago and that no one
You can take it away from you — said Sara. In Syria, Sara was a lawyer.

Amal thought she should feel relieved that, after all, there was a place where
she would be protected and safe from the war and dangers. But that was not the case.
like that. She knew that her journey was not over yet.

13

Even when Amal and Layla were already settled in the field, whenever
Possible, Sara would go to them to chat and see how they were doing. Amal liked it.
of the presence of the interpreter. Sara was very concerned about the girls who,
even so young, they were alone in the world. Sara knew that it was increasingly
mais comum crianças chegarem sozinhas ao campo, mas não conseguia se

21
get used to this reality.
One day, a journalist arrived at the field who wanted to interview children.
who traveled alone in search of refuge, to write about the
incredible adventures they had gone through and thus warn the
world about the sad stories generated by the current migration crisis and by
wars. Sara then introduced Amal to her.
This young woman is very brave and has quite a story to tell.
said Sara.
It was easy to recognize the journalists inside the camp: they wore
navy blue vests with the word “press,” which means “press” in English,
and were almost always followed by many curious children. They came from the
from various places in the world, as well as the volunteers who provided
assistance to people in refugee situations, and this impressed Amal.
It's because the situation of those in need of refuge is very serious and
it worries many people around the world — explained the journalist, who was
Brazilian, when Amal asked what had brought her there. Then the journalist
filled Amal with questions: wanted to know about her life in Syria, about who her
had helped to escape, about his plans for the future.
The girl said she was just waiting for her documents to be ready.
ready to continue the journey to Italy. She also talked about her uncle
Malik on his grandfather's recommendations.
That's great, Amal! It's a shame that the waiting list for these documents
it's so long, isn't it? I imagine it's very hard to wait so many months, still
but for a girl all alone.
"Uh..." said Amal, discouraged, while thinking "months?" No.
Had it crossed her mind that she would have to wait so long. She thought that
you would receive your documents at any moment.
Amal said goodbye to her even more worried. What if the months turned into...

years? Amal could not wait all this time. She had to continue the journey.
to Italy and find your uncle.
She needed to find another way. It was decided.

22
 14

In the days that followed, Amal spent most of her time thinking about the
what to do to get to Italy. I kept remembering my grandfather while holding
your amulet is very strong, wanting to hear a new word that would give to her
an idea, a solution. But, nothing. No sign.
Triste e desanimada, certo dia Amal parou para observar alguns meninos
playing with a makeshift ball, which looked like an old rag rolled up with
several plastic bags. The ball didn't bounce much, but it brought joy to the
the kids, and she thought that was funny. Some boys were kicking the ball to a
side of the land and others, to the other. It was a soccer game.
Amal realized that there was a boy who was much better than the
others. He was the one who ran the most and hit the most. He was very thin and agile.
While she was watching, suddenly, the ball went out of bounds and ended up at her feet.
He didn't think twice: he aimed and kicked the ball hard in the direction of the boy. Everyone

the boys were impressed. Amal did not know the rules very well.
game, but kicking a ball she knew how, yes, because she played a lot with her grandfather

juggling oranges, using hands and feet. Excited, the

the boys gestured for her to join in the fun. When Amal saw it, there
she was kicking the ball among the cans and shouting 'goal' like the others.
When the game was over, the star of the team came to talk to Amal. He
he introduced himself as Samba and told her that football was one of the things
what he loved most in life.
It was my father who taught me to play. He was also very good at it.
game. So much so that his dream was to go to Brazil and become a famous player.
There, he told me, everyone likes soccer. And samba! That's why he
gave me this name, which is common in Senegal, but in Brazil means this type
of music. — Samba said, and then added:
My father died a long time ago, never having known Brazil. But I

23
I will, one day. And I will be a famous player, among the best! — Samba spoke
Arabic with some difficulty. He had learned it during the time he lived
in Libya.
— Brazil, is it? — It was the second time, in a few days, that she heard about it.

of this distant country. Amal spoke to Samba about her conversation with the
Brazilian journalist who interviewed refugee children.
Are you also alone, Samba?
He said that a few months ago he had left the small village.
of fishermen where he was born, in Senegal. He left due to poverty in his
country, the same reason as so many other Senegalese.
After my parents died, there was no reason to stay. I was spending
hunger. That's why I came to Europe, because a friend of my family promised
that will help me build a life for myself. I didn't have many options. But when
I'm saving my money, it's to Brazil that I'm going.
Senegal is quite far from here, isn't it? - Amal wanted to know.
Yes, it was a long journey. First, I crossed the desert to Libya, and there
I stayed for almost two months, but not by my own will. I couldn't wait to
get out of there, that place is very dangerous. But that's a long story. So
So I could, I took a boat to Italy, which is where the friend lives who is going to help me.

help. But I couldn't make it there and almost died. We ended up in the
Greece because our boat had problems and we were adrift for days,
without food, without anything — explained the boy.

Amal couldn't believe how difficult Samba's life had been until
So. How could he be so cheerful anyway? She could spend hours.
listening to your stories. I had so many questions to ask you.
When I arrived here in the field, no one spoke to me. I took a while to
understand that it was because I am black. There are not many black people in Greece or, for

less, not in this place. But, since I am good at football, the people here
they ended up forgetting a bit that I am different from them — he continued
Samba.
Tolerance. Suddenly, and very clearly, Amal remembered this

24
word as if you were hearing it in your grandfather's voice. It was he who one day told you

taught that tolerance meant respect for those who are different from
we.
The conversation was so good that Amal hadn't even realized that her
The knee was bleeding. She had fallen during the game, but she was having so much fun.
he didn't even notice the injury he had caused. Samba saw the blood and said
for her, trying to make her less impressed:
Don't worry, it will pass. Just wash it and put on a bandage.
Look how interesting: we are all red on the inside, aren't we?

15

When Amal told Samba that she needed to find a way to reach the...
Italy and find your uncle Malik, the boy asked what his address was.
She then showed the paper she was carrying and Samba smiled even more.
wider than usual.
— Amal, I am going to Italy tomorrow, where that person lives.
friend of my family. I managed to get a place on a ship that departs for Sicily.
even before the sun rises. From there, I head to Rome.
Sicily is where my uncle lives!
— Yes! — replied Samba, excitedly. — You can come with me.
Samba could not have said more beautiful words, Amal thought. She did not
I could believe in that coincidence. It was so much luck! On the other hand, getting into
a boat again to cross the ocean? Where would she get the courage? And the
money to pay for the crossing?
Calm down, we're on a huge cargo ship. A regular ship. Nothing
those overcrowded boats. We will go, so to speak, clandestinely.
said Samba, and then told that a friend had given him all the tips about
how to enter and go unnoticed on the vessel.
It seemed crazy, but Amal felt it was the right thing to do. She

25
she thanked her new friend and said yes, she would go. It was her chance.
They arranged to meet at that same place in the evening.
Amal ran to say goodbye to Layla. They gave a quick hug, for
because of the rush, but very tight.
Then, Amal went to Sara.
Are you sure, Amal? It's very risky. Besides, you only need to
wait for your documents to be able to travel regularly — said Sara.
insecure.
I need to go. I have to find my uncle. I don't want to stay here to
always. We don't even know when these documents will be ready.
Sara understood and, although she didn't fully agree with the trip, gave
to her sandwiches to take away. Amal put the food in a bag, along with
some clothes that had been donated to her, and left. She left the field.
without even looking back.
When night fell, Samba and Amal soon boarded the huge ship.
cargo ship that would take them far away from there. It was a red and blue ship, with
almost 70 meters long, loaded with large containers.
We need to hide now. That friend of mine who works here
At the port, they told me that we need to enter while they are loading the
ship. Let's stay between the containers, that way no one will see us — he explained
Samba.
Samba's friend had said that, during the trip, about 10
sailors would take care of the maintenance and the machinery, and for that reason, they would have

to hide very well so as not to be found. But at night, only

one of the sailors was going to stand guard on the outer deck, making it easier for
Amal and Samba would circulate, if needed.
It was five days of travel. While the sun had not set, they spent the
they hid among the containers, talking softly. Amal told to
All about your journey up to that point, and the interesting people you had.
known: Ali, Layla, Sara... He also talked about how he missed his grandfather.
Samba, in turn, finally recounted the most difficult moment of his life, which he

26
I didn't like to tell anyone: having been captured in Libya and escaped by
a little of being enslaved.
— Enslaved? What do you mean? — Amal wanted to know, very impressed.
Currently, Libya is an extremely dangerous place for us,
migrants — started to explain. — There is a lot of violence since it erupted
war there, a few years ago.
Amal could not even respond, she just looked scared as the
boy was telling.
Armed groups took control of the country and make money.
exploring who passes by there. They imprison people in places in the middle
from nothing, without water and without food. Sometimes, people are sold, as if
slavery was still permitted.
Just like Layla's stories, what Samba narrated seemed to have come from
from one of grandfather's books. Only much sadder. When Samba finished
to talk about your time in Libya, they stayed silent for a long time.
They felt sadness when they recalled the difficulties. And they were afraid too,
for not knowing what awaited them there in Italy.
When they realized it was already dark, they decided to take a walk to
scare away the bad vibes. The moon was so big that its light reflected on the
waves and made the whole sea shine.
Despite its dangers, what a beautiful thing the sea is, thought Amal.

16

Even before the ship docked at the Italian port, the two were already
anxious and ready to flee. They knew they had to be quick because, if
if we were caught, everything would be lost. They had an agreement: if someone
perceive your presence, run more than ever.
And as they reached the bow of the ship, they were seen by a sailor.
Hey, you two! What are you doing here? - he shouted.

27
 Amal and Samba ran wildly. They ran so much that, when they gave...
in case, they were lost in the middle of that unknown city. It was Catania,
with its beautiful old buildings and its black sidewalks.
When they finally stopped to catch their breath, Samba and Amal
they were impressed by the beauty of that place. But at the same time, if
They were startled by all the noise and the commotion. There were people on the street!

people of the most different physical types, and who used all kinds of
clothing. It seemed that there were people there from all corners of the world and
that mixture left Amal and Samba confused. They didn't know if they were more
scared or hungry.
Samba decided that they needed to find a way to get food.
He entered a bakery and, not knowing how to speak Italian, looked into the baker's eyes and
he pointed to the bread, and then to his stomach, to show that he was hungry, very hungry. Not

had an idea of how the man would react. The owner of the place looked at Samba and Amal

top to bottom.
Get ready to run, Amal. He might want to kick us out of here.
said Samba, without taking his eyes off the man. He had already been through each
situation during your trip, which was now always prepared for the
but different reactions.
"Wait," said the baker, gesturing with his hand to indicate that...
they waited. In a few minutes, he offered them not only the bread, but
fancifully stuffed sandwiches.
—Panini— said the generous man with a friendly smile. That was how
it was called that sweetness.
The meal served as a delicious celebration of that success.
part of the journey and also as a landmark of hope and joy for the
farewell that they could no longer postpone.
Now I follow my path, Amal,
I give what the girl was expecting. — Take care, my friend. You are already close.
your destination. Be happy — the boy continued with a smile. He still
I would try to catch a bus to Rome that night. — Not even if it takes years,

28
One day I will reach my destination, Amal. Freedom is the most important thing.
of the world. It is bigger than any border.
When Samba left, Amal finally realized that she had arrived.
to the destination that her grandfather had wished for her so much. Now she just needed to

find Uncle Malik's house, which shouldn't be that difficult for a

girl who had already managed to get this far, safe and sound. From inside the bag
plastic that he had carried throughout the journey, took out the uncle's address: Via
Reitano, 37 - 1º andar. Catânia, Sicília - Itália.
She then chose a direction and started walking. Along the way, she asked.
directions for strangers who passed by. Since I didn't speak Italian, I showed the
paper that the grandfather had written, and people responded with gestures.
Until she arrived.
And when Amal found herself right in front of her uncle's address, she hesitated. Her

her heart was racing! She felt so many things at the same time.
And what if he is not here anymore? - Amal wondered. - And if he
What if you are, but you don't want me to stay? What am I going to do?

Amal was very afraid. It was as if she was feeling all the fear.
what had happened during the trip at once. He stopped and sat on the sidewalk
to think.
She needed to find her uncle not only for herself but for her grandfather. He was the only

a person who could help her fulfill the great dream she had been carrying
in her heart, in silence, throughout the whole journey: to bring her grandfather to live with her

in Europe safely. He had saved Amal's life with his courage and
now it was her turn to do something for him.
Amal rang the doorbell. She heard someone speaking in Italian to
intercom, but she went silent, not knowing what to respond. And then she saw her uncle's head.

out of the window.

-- Amal? -- he asked, incredulous. And, realizing that it really was her.
Niece, shouted again and again. — Amal! Amal! You've arrived! You
You did it!
Amal heard him running down the stairs. He had a huge smile.

29
on the face. He lifted her in his arms and hugged her so tightly. He had tears.
running down the face.
It's great to see you, my niece! I've been looking for news about you for months.

from all corners. Come in, come in. My house is your house. I was
waiting for so long! It's time for us to be happy again, Amal.
Amal looked at her uncle, unable to speak. She was happy, of course.
it was, but so sad at the same time. Malik read in his niece's eyes the
sadness that she tried to disguise, and said:
We will find a way to get your grandfather, Amal.
E Amal hugged him tightly.
Peace! Amal heard her grandfather saying, in the silence of her chest. Salam,
my dear, peace was the most beautiful thing in the world. She remembered now.

30