A Young Refugee | Guido Gazzilli

I went to Lampedusa when the "emergency" was on every Italian's mind.

I met Ahmed, a 23-year-old Tunisian who was being looked after by the Matinas, a local family.

The family gave him clothes, a room , food and everything else for almost a year.

Ahmed told me he earned 60 euros a month as a waiter in Biserta, where he lived, and had to pay bordercrossers 800 euros for a 25 hour boat ride with another two dozen of refugees. "I left for my future, for my family," he told me.

He tried to find a job, but it is very hard because the economy of Lampedusa is collapsing and he will be re-patriated.

The story of Ahmed, is one of the many young refugee landed on this island who in the revolution has found the strength and the hope to decide to leave his country.

I tried to capture photographs was able to transmit the single moments of the stay of Ahmed , his fears for the future, and his relationship with the island.

Guido Gazzilli

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