Lysamba, 47, from Senegal arrived to France in 1991. A husband and a father of three: “I came to France to work and send money to my family in Senegal. However, I am nobody here, I’m unable to make money.”
Suhail Ahmed Suhel, 32, a Bangladeshi intellectual and father of two, who was twice imprisoned before seeking political asylum: “When searching for work, I am told to come back when I have documents. So, I sell flowers in the evenings. It is not my profession – I have a university degree in economics, but I have to survive. Something is better than nothing.”
Aminata Bakayoko, 42, from Cote d’Ivoire, working as a cleaner and babysitter: “I decided to leave my country, because I couldn’t find good work there. But, life was difficult there and life is difficult here. It was a big decision to emigrate and I will be waiting for my papers in France as long as necessary. “
Mamadou Konate, 36, from Senegal left his homeland after his father died: “I don’t want much, I just want to make enough money to be able to have my own room and eat proper food.”
Fofana Mamadou, 39, from Cote d’Ivoire: “We believe the West is paradise, but it’s not true. I’ve experienced life here and I’d like to explain the reality to my countrymen. I also want to open a business back home that will offer work opportunities for those who, just like me once, want to leave their homeland in search of work and a better future.”
Hanna Adel, 43, a veterinarian from Egypt: ”It’s been over ten years and I’m still waiting for residency. Why?! They tell me I am not married and don’t have enough proofs. But, almost all my family lives in France. My parents have residency, my brother has French nationality, it’s only me that can’t live and work here legally.”
Sissoko Mahamadou, 60, from Mali: “I’ve been working in France for twenty years, and I am still illegal.”
Abul Kalam, 65, member of Bangladesh Nationalist Party left his homeland after his brother was killed and his son put to jail: ”When I was in Bangladesh I thought in France human rights are respected. Living here undocumented, I can’t even buy bread sometimes.”
Camara Cheick Oumar, 34, from Mali where he married a French woman. They separated soon after moving to France, so his residency status got denied: “I want to live in any country where I can work, buy a house and be free.”
