MotM Story | Message From "Alagie"

“You know hopeless...? Me, I am that right now.”

–Identity undisclosed
Location: south-central Italy

“Alagie,” whose name has been changed to protect his identity, is a Gambian man who arrived in the squalid housing camp near Foggia, Italy, shown here, after being transferred from his initial reception center on Lampedusa island. He tells the story of his friends, the migrant workers who were killed in the 6 August car crash, and how it could have just as easily been him. He describes the poor working conditions, his hopelessness of his current life circumstances, and the stabbing death of his friend in a nearby shantytown; and finally, his confusion amidst this bleak landscape.

Bathroom stalls without doors and dirty toilets at the housing camp near Foggia, Italy. July, 2018. © Pamela Kerpius

A housing camp bathroom, near Foggia, Italy. July, 2018. © Pamela Kerpius

An unclean camp bathroom, near Foggia, Italy. July, 2018. © Pamela Kerpius

The shower. Near Foggia, Italy. July, 2018. © Pamela Kerpius

Dirty water from toilets and sinks overrun the sidewalk adjacent the camp bathrooms. Near Foggia, Italy; July, 2018. © Pamela Kerpius

Alagie’s friend who was stabbed to death in the shantytown near Foggia, Italy. July, 2018. © Pamela Kerpius

The shantytown near the Foggia housing camp where Alagie’s friend was stabbed to death; July, 2018. © Pamela Kerpius

The shantytown; July, 2018. © Pamela Kerpius

Inside the shantytown; July, 2018. © Pamela Kerpius

A post from “Alagie’s” Facebook announcing the death of Musa and Mahmoud, both killed in the 6 August 2018 car crash near Foggia, Italy. © Pamela Kerpius

The Go Fund Me page to raise money for the repatriation of Musa and Mahmoud’s remains. August, 2018. © Pamela Kerpius

A bed bug infested mattress from a migrant housing camp, similar to Alagie’s. Rome, Italy; June, 2018. © Pamela Kerpius

Bed bugs infest a housing camp mattress; Rome, Italy. June, 2018. © Pamela Kerpius

Posted: 23 August 2018
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