Hey you are
pushing me! Iím very
sorry madam. Donít push!
I almost fell! Well get out
of the way. Excuse yourself! Our mom never told
us who was born first. Weíve tried asking her, but she
wonít say, so we have to leave it be. Husai claims to be the eldest,
and says Iím the youngest. But people always say
Iím more mature than her, because unlike her, I
donít talk without thinking. I like the trade
Iím learning. I love becoming
a seamstress. Iím still a trainee though,
and donít get a salary yet. In Fula culture, giving birth out of wedlock
means youíre no good anymore. And because of that, my
mother treated me badly. I thought it maybe it would be
better to give Safia to someone else, who could raise her
better than I could. I was ashamed when I
got pregnant in Kuwait. Because my family didnít think I
would ever do something like that. Who could I feel safe telling in
my family that I was pregnant? But I finally called
my sister and told her. The only thing my twin
sister thinks about is traveling. The first time she travelled,
she went to Kuwait, in 2014. She stayed for 1 year,
then was deported home. She went back and
got deported again, and then went back
again for four months, before being finally
deported again. Sheís been back in Sierra Leone for
close to a year, a year and a half. I still live in the same
place Iíve lived all my life, with my
mom and dad. But my twin sister
grew up with our auntie. My mother sells fish
balls as a small trader. My dad was a taxi driver.
But heís retired now. I donít want them to feel
that I am running away from them because
they are poor. All I want is to give them the
normal, easier life they never had. I do all this to take
care of my children. If they had enough money I would
stop, but they all depend on me. My mom and dad
also depend on me. Should I stop because
business is slow? I wouldnít do that. I like both of them, but Hassi grew up
with me, which is why we are so close. I like Husai
very much... even though we
arenít as close. She was taken in by my
sister, who lived in Lumley, which is why Iím
not that close to her. My wish was for her to be
successful, and to help me. But she
disappointed me. Oh, These are
some cute kids! Ahmed, please wait. Everything is the will
of God. Iíll dress you last My mother, and Fula society,
stigmatize my twin sister. They ostracize her, because
she gave birth out of wedlock. As if she were the only person
to ever give birth out of wedlock! So I try to ignore the stigma,
to convince people to let it go. I tell them it was because
of the situation she was in. It's not her fault. She didn't mean things
to happen that way. There was no
one to advise her. She was young and naive, and didn't
have enough sense to know what to do. I tell people that if it had
happened to their kids, they wouldn't have
managed as well as she has. I didn't grow up with
my biological parents. My aunty and her
husband raised me. They didn't have much, but
they did do their best to raise me. And I promised myself that I would
work hard and become a better person. And that I would take care
of them when they need it. So my parents
could be proud of me. I was so happy when
I landed in Belarus, because I
had my visa. It was my twin
sister's passport. When they stamped
the visa in the passport, I felt as if someone had
poured cold water on my back, I felt so happy. I said to myself, "Hassi my
sister you really are good luck, your passport got me here,
and now it has given me a visa." I was in such
a happy mood, and then when I went
to the next checkpoint, they asked me about
this mole on my face, and I told them I got it after
the passport photo was taken. They went away to a
corner and talked for a while. Then I was asked to
identify my luggage, They told me to remove my hijab,
so they could take some photos. I was asked to get
undressed, and then I started... I started to cry. It's not that I traveled
for fun or anything, I went there
to work. Even though I didn't know
what kind of job I wanted. I just
decided to go. And look where
I ended up: in prison with all
sorts of criminals. I was thinking, what will
become of me in prison? But prison gave
me strength. It gave me even more motivation, more
determination to achieve my dream. However many times
it takes, I will do it. It will cost 4,500
US Dollars. You will need a deposit
first though; 1,000 to 1,500. Then, when we get the visa
you'll pay the rest of the balance, excluding the
cost of the ticket. We operate in more than
21 European countries. Norway and
Denmark, Slovenia... How legal is
this program? Very legal. Many people have
gotten their visas. I've been
thinking a lot. Especially about
my daughter. I don't want my daughter to ask
me for something that I cannot afford. Never. So that's the reason
why I said I need to go. I also really want to pay back
the money my dad lent me for my first trip
to Kuwait in 2014. Out of all the money
he has lent me, he has only asked me to
pay back 5 million Leones. And I want
to honor that. What other kind of jobs
are there over there? I've only heard of cleaning,
cooking, etc. what else is there? There's security. There's nursing. Working
at the mall. But getting into a program that
will land you those jobs is not easy. People are saying that
you've been deported over and over because we
twins were separated. Do you believe you've
been bewitched by me? Why do you listen
to what people say? I don't blame anyone
for my problems. It's the will
of my creator. When I'm happy or sad, I
know it's because of my creator. So don't listen to people
who say it's your fault. The one who
said so is crazy. He says it's
because we're twins. That you're bewitching
me to come back. I asked him how so? You're the one that gave
me my first chance to travel. I came back from
Guinea, and you handed me the trip that
was meant for you. So I went. And then you passed the
second trip on to me as well. Then the third trip, and the
fourth one was because of you too. So how on earth could I think that you
were responsible for my failed trips? Well, itís not about
what you think. And I know youíd
never say itís me. You know yourself that youíd never say
that I was the one bringing you back, since I was the one giving
you the opportunity to travel. No way. But I donít want you to go away
and have to come back this time. Thatís why Iíve decided
that weíll travel together. And I believe that by the grace
of God, weíll travel together. And even if we donít
work at the same place, weíll be in the
same country. Maybe together you and I
wonít have the same problems that other migrants
have over there. Because everyone has their
own destiny, designed by God. Everybody knows how they
meet and live with others. Maybe the hard work
that others are doing maybe we wonít even
have to work when we travel. Because God
decides everything. Maybe we
wonít even work. Maybe weíll do
something different. Maybe God will send
us where we want. Weíll go where we can be free,
Where they wonít work us like slaves. So my
decision is final. Weíll go together. God willing. Ok. What does this
program cost? This program
is different. Precious is now working in
one of the American companies. There are black market
agents that scout for workers, and if you want to work
in a mall, theyíll take you. Your agent will negotiate
the salary on your behalf. Then they send you to work and
provide residence for the workers. The flight costs
1,150 dollars. You just have to let me
send them your passports. Then once they have them,
Visas will be issued for them. What if they give us Visas
and we donít have any money? I told Husai that if she wants,
I will pay for her trip now, and she can pay me back
after you start working. This is my savant. Why donít you
want us to travel? I want to see both of you get
married, before you go anywhere. Remember the last
time Husai traveled, I went through hell because
of what she suffered, and the shame
she brought to me. So I donít want that to
happen again to my family. Mum what happened to
Husai could happen to anyone, and there are others with
worse stories than hers. I am reminding you of what
happened to us because of her. We had to send her money. I
donít want that to happen again. Mum, thatís life, Let it go. Others
have had it worse than I did. How many years
will you be gone? The contract is like... I donít
know, maybe two or three years. Since we moved here our lives
have gotten better, thank God. The world isnít an easy place,
we know. Just support us. Marriage is a
matter of Destiny. We can get married even when weíre
50 years old if that is our destiny. Everything is
the will of God. Iím really afraid, and you know
that Hassi has hiccup sickness, thatís why I donít want
her to go far away from me. Are you the one that
has her cure or is it God? So, thatís why I donít
want them to go anywhere. I donít believe her
sickness is incurable. God will heal her... Iím just pessimistic
about a cure. I have to give my children my
best advice, and thatís not to travel. If it were
up to me, I would want both of them to get
married before travelling anywhere. So if I die in their absence,
my soul can rest in peace. Thatís what I want. The most important
thing is that you make sure to get your salary at
the end of the month. When you get there, you need to know
that Arabs donít like slow workers. Or workers
who frown. Always do your best to smile;
always try and look good. I was always
presentable in my uniform, but my useless boss
said that I smelt bad. That I
didnít bathe. Thatís why I didnít
get along with him. The way you present yourself
will decide how they will treat you. Iíve dreamt twice now
that Iím going to the US. You want to meet
Donald Trump? So wait, let me
ask you something. If a US Diversity Visa and a visa to
go to Qatar came at the same time, Both? Yes. and also one
for Kurdistan too. Which one would
you choose? Which one? Really? Itís a question. Which one
would I choose? America. Because... So then two would
be left for me! Because America wouldnít
treat me as badly as Kurdistan and whatís
it called Qatar. Theyíll treat
me well. Iíd become a naturalized
citizen of America. Are you sure? Yes! On the other hand, maybe the same day you
travel to the US, Iíll go to Qatar. But likely Iíd be... Successful
before me? Iíd have no
problem with that. The only thing I want
is for you to be happy, to get what you want, so
you can take care of Safia. No matter where we
are, even if itís far away, you know the only
thing I am fighting for, is to take care of
Safia, and our parents. Thatís what
matters most. And if you make
money before me, great! Iím fine with that. And if I make it before you, I
know youíd be ok with it too. When one of is
rich so is the other. Iím happy regardless
of what happens. But if I got
all three I would choose
America. I wonít lie
to you sister. You should
go to Qatar. Youíre used to
the Arab world. Itís not so bad... Twice I dreamt that
I had my travelling bag, dragging it
slowly on a trip. And I know that by the
grace of God it must happen. And if it doesnít happen
again, then thatís Godís will. Is this yours? Yes. What? This always happens
when it gets colder. Drink some water. Is it
the sweet honey you drank? Hereís the sandal. Here. Sit up and
drink it. Hassi? During a hiccup attack, are
you aware of what youíre doing? Hitting the ground
and dry heaving? Was I dry heaving? Yes, you were
coughing as well. I was struggling, I
couldnít catch my breath. My throat and side
hurt now when I talk. So why did you look
like you needed to vomit? When it happens I feel like
thereís something like a ball here. A ball comes up in my
throat, and then it starts. I just donít
know what to do. It comes and
stops at my chest. Whenever it happens, my chest
tightens up and I canít breathe. Iíve been wondering
how youíll manage, now that you have
decided to travel with me. Iím about to travel to a country
where I have no mother or father. To seek a job in the Middle East, If
I get a hiccup attack, what will I do? They wonít understand whatís happening
to me, even if I explain it to them. I just pray to God
that when it happens the people Iím with
wonít abandon me. This girl is crazy. If anything comes
up, we will update you. Are you traveling
to Guinea? No, weíll travel from Sierra Leone
to Guinea and then weíll keep going. Weíre not going out there just for
ourselves, but for the whole family. Yes, weíre doing this for our
future, but itís for all our futures. We wonít succeed and
then forget about you. Thatís not
possible. The only thing we need from
you and dad is your support, and your prayer for
god to help us out there. Forget about what
outsiders will say. People will
always talk. Just ignore them. Iíve told you
what I think. And what is that? I donít want you to go
anywhere. Not until youíre married. Until weíre
married. And you dad? I stand by what
I already said. Which is? Go, do what
you have to. May God bless you. Iím drained. Iím really
feeling it. I thought as much... Iím really
feeling it. Hassi, it seems as if you packed
more clothes than me. Sister please
let me be. I am doing fine.
How are you? Thanks to God Youíre breaking up. Oh ok. Mom I just want to let you know
that we have reached Guinea. What did you say? I said weíre in
Conakry now. Weíll spend some time here
with our agent before we travel. Because of Covid, weíll spend
about a week here before we move on. You need to
be careful... How are you all
doing over there? Weíre all fine. Why are you talking
like that? Are you sick? Yes. Whatís wrong? Yes, Iím not well. Is it because you
miss us already? Yes, I miss
you already. Thatís why I didnít want you to
travel. I never wanted that to happen. Well, be strong. Ok. Whereís Dad? Give him
the phone so we can say hi. Ok. Hello? Hi, how are you? Iím fine. How is everything? Did you sleep ok? Yes, we slept well. Thank God for that. Weíll update you on
anything that comes up. Ok, ok. May God see
you both to safety. Amen. Amen. Take care of
yourself and Mom. I will. Please donít fight. Be patient
with each other. Ok I will. We will. Pray for a safe
journey for us. Iím sure the journey
will be smooth for you. Pray that everything
goes well for us. By Godís grace,
it shall be well. Ok. Love you.
