The Game Chapter Three - Stories
Mohamed from Afghanistan lives in the Krnjača Reception Center with his wife and their 6 year-old son. Mohamed's wife suffers from severe anemia that requires periodic hospital admissions and blood transfusions. Krnjača, Serbia 2017.
Daniel Garcia, from Cuba, mechanic. Krnjaca, Serbia 2017.
'What brought me here? The need to build a new life. I was born and raised in Havana's old city, where I had a business, my room and my motorbike. But there were problems. My parents are in Florida, and I hoped to reach them. Entering the US had become too difficult, so I sold my motorbike and bought a ticket to Montenegro.
From Podgorica, I took a train to Belgrade. The first few months were the hardest: I didn't have a place to stay and I joined thousands of people sleeping in barracks along the Sava river. Most were Afghans, accustomed to such cold. For me, it was unbearable. I started getting sick. For the last five months, I've been at the Krnjaca refugee centre, on the outskirts of Belgrade. I'm the only Cuban in the camp, and life is not easy. Moreover, Serbian culture is different, as were my expectations. But thanks to a psychologist, I was able to overcome this stress and think of a positive future'.
'What brought me here? The need to build a new life. I was born and raised in Havana's old city, where I had a business, my room and my motorbike. But there were problems. My parents are in Florida, and I hoped to reach them. Entering the US had become too difficult, so I sold my motorbike and bought a ticket to Montenegro.
From Podgorica, I took a train to Belgrade. The first few months were the hardest: I didn't have a place to stay and I joined thousands of people sleeping in barracks along the Sava river. Most were Afghans, accustomed to such cold. For me, it was unbearable. I started getting sick. For the last five months, I've been at the Krnjaca refugee centre, on the outskirts of Belgrade. I'm the only Cuban in the camp, and life is not easy. Moreover, Serbian culture is different, as were my expectations. But thanks to a psychologist, I was able to overcome this stress and think of a positive future'.
Mohamed from Afghanistan, bricklayer, Adaševci, Serbia 2017.
After two years traveling across Pakistan, Turkey and Bulgaria, Mohamed arrived in Serbia. He tried several attempts crossing the Serbian-Croatian borders, but always the Croatian police rejected him back in Serbia.
After two years traveling across Pakistan, Turkey and Bulgaria, Mohamed arrived in Serbia. He tried several attempts crossing the Serbian-Croatian borders, but always the Croatian police rejected him back in Serbia.
Zhan from China in the Šid squat.
Zhan speaks only Chinese and nobody knows his story. A group of Pakistani minors help him taking care of daily activities during the travel. Šid, Serbia 2017.
Zhan speaks only Chinese and nobody knows his story. A group of Pakistani minors help him taking care of daily activities during the travel. Šid, Serbia 2017.
Amira and Afran, Kurdish. Adaševci, Serbia 2017.
Due to the human rights violations and executions against the Kurdish minority in Iran, Amira and Afran decided to reach Europe. After a difficult and dangerous trip across Turkey, they arrived in Serbia, where are awaiting for political asylum. They want to reach Germany, where they have relatives, starting a new life.
Due to the human rights violations and executions against the Kurdish minority in Iran, Amira and Afran decided to reach Europe. After a difficult and dangerous trip across Turkey, they arrived in Serbia, where are awaiting for political asylum. They want to reach Germany, where they have relatives, starting a new life.
Ana Teodiz from Cuba, dancer. Principovac, Serbia 2017.
'I am a transgender; that's why I escaped from Cuba. The country is changing rapidly, but there's still a widespread macho culture, and discrimination is everywhere. As a trans person, you're harassed when you walk in the streets and are stopped by police if you go out at night. You cannot live a normal life, have a normal job. Sometimes prostitution becomes your only choice. When I arrived in Serbia, I tried to "play the game", what many young refugees call the attempt of illegally crossing borders. Croatian police caught me. I still have signs of their beatings'.
'I am a transgender; that's why I escaped from Cuba. The country is changing rapidly, but there's still a widespread macho culture, and discrimination is everywhere. As a trans person, you're harassed when you walk in the streets and are stopped by police if you go out at night. You cannot live a normal life, have a normal job. Sometimes prostitution becomes your only choice. When I arrived in Serbia, I tried to "play the game", what many young refugees call the attempt of illegally crossing borders. Croatian police caught me. I still have signs of their beatings'.
Abdul from Afghanistan, farmer. Adaševci, Serbia 2017.
Abdul left Afghanistan with a group of friends. They tried to cross the Serbian borders, but after several failed attempts, since a year they are blocked in Serbia. They would like to reach Germany and to find a job.
Abdul left Afghanistan with a group of friends. They tried to cross the Serbian borders, but after several failed attempts, since a year they are blocked in Serbia. They would like to reach Germany and to find a job.
Haisha from Afghanistan, student 15 years old. Sombor, Serbia 2017.
She left Afghanistan when she was 13 years old, and after a long journey she arrived in Serbia. She has started a minor protection procedure and is awaiting for a response. She wants to reach her relatives in Austria, and to continue her studies.
She left Afghanistan when she was 13 years old, and after a long journey she arrived in Serbia. She has started a minor protection procedure and is awaiting for a response. She wants to reach her relatives in Austria, and to continue her studies.
Mildrei Iznaga (first on the left), hairdresser from Cuba. Dimitrovgrad, Serbia 2016.
'During an interview with a TV channel in 2016, I expressed some criticism towards the government. I thought it was normal. I love Cuba but I wanted to share my feelings on the conditions of people of African descent like me. After this, somebody came looking for me. I received some threats and had to hide.Given difficulties to reach the US, especially for a single mother with a kid, I decided to look for safety in Europe. My mother and my older sister came with me, together with my son. We needed a place to stay and a government officer sent us to Dimitrovgrad, a small city close to the border with Bulgaria, where a new camp was being opened. Months after, we decided to move to a camp closer to the border with Hungary. Every day the Hungarian police allow 10 people to enter their territory. When our turn came, the police put us in a huge container with hundreds of people, inside an area surrounded by fences. There, they will assess our claim: If they accept us, then we will finally access the EU. I am so afraid that at times I cannot sleep at night'.
'During an interview with a TV channel in 2016, I expressed some criticism towards the government. I thought it was normal. I love Cuba but I wanted to share my feelings on the conditions of people of African descent like me. After this, somebody came looking for me. I received some threats and had to hide.Given difficulties to reach the US, especially for a single mother with a kid, I decided to look for safety in Europe. My mother and my older sister came with me, together with my son. We needed a place to stay and a government officer sent us to Dimitrovgrad, a small city close to the border with Bulgaria, where a new camp was being opened. Months after, we decided to move to a camp closer to the border with Hungary. Every day the Hungarian police allow 10 people to enter their territory. When our turn came, the police put us in a huge container with hundreds of people, inside an area surrounded by fences. There, they will assess our claim: If they accept us, then we will finally access the EU. I am so afraid that at times I cannot sleep at night'.
Khan from Afghanistan, Adaševci Serbia 2017.
Khan left Afghanistan in 2016. After a year travelling across several countries, he arrived in Serbia. He tried to cross the borders but the Croatian police always stopped and beat him. He is living in an abandoned gas station near an highway. He wants to reach Germany or Italy, where several friends of him are living.
Khan left Afghanistan in 2016. After a year travelling across several countries, he arrived in Serbia. He tried to cross the borders but the Croatian police always stopped and beat him. He is living in an abandoned gas station near an highway. He wants to reach Germany or Italy, where several friends of him are living.
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