Hoffnung im Herzen, Freiheit im Sinn

by Zekarias Kebraeb

Zekarias Kebraeb was just seventeen when he left his home in Eritrea in 2002 to escape impending military conscription. A poet nicknamed ‘the daydreamer’ by his family, Zekarias knew he would never survive what would, in reality, mean daily abuse, punishment and torture. Armed only with hope, determination and $500, he fled to Europe, unable even to say goodbye to his mother.However, Zekarias could never have anticipated how long or brutal the journey would be. His hellish trip took him through the African bush, across the Sahara desert with no food and little water, finally reaching Italy after crossing the Mediterranean on a tiny cramped boat. But once in Europe, Zekarias realised his troubles were far from over.An asylum seeker in Italy, then Switzerland and finally Germany, all Zekarias wanted was to live a life of freedom, to study and work; a life Europeans take for granted. But moved from run-down asylum centres to the streets then back to asylum centres, tolerated but never accepted, he faced a long battle before he could finally live his dream of a free life.Every year, thousands of African nationals, many of them Eritreans, attempt the deadly route to Europe, which the Guardian has called ‘the world’s most dangerous journey, and new figures from the UN suggest that at least 22,000 have perished in the last 14 years, mainly in the Mediterranean. In Paradise Denied, Zekarias Kebraeb gives a face to the thousands of refugees who have no choice but to leave behind their homes and risk their lives following a dream of a better life for themselves and their family. Interwoven in this heartrending story are news reports about the many who weren’t so lucky.

Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[HediBähren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Puh, was für eine Odyssee diese Flucht von Erithrea nach Deutschland. spannend und berührend zu lesen.

[carrotcore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unbelievable story of Zekarias' life that helps to get an insight into the 'journey' of a refugee and the struggles and throwbacks someone has to overcome and get through, clearly recommendable!