Ghanaians with visas for the World Cup attempt a fresh start

Elder Ogliari, Special Envoy – O Estado de S. Paulo, 7/20/2014

They are in makeshift shelters in São Paulo, Criciúma and Caxias do Sul, dreaming of work and wanting to help their families who stayed in Africa.

Eles estao em abrigos provisorios em SP, Criciuma e Caxias do Sul, sonham com trabalho e querem ejudar a familia que ficou na Africa

This Article was translated from Portuguese. Click here to read the original from Estado

They took advantage of the ease to obtain a tourist visa for the World Cup and embarked to Brazil in search of a new life.  They are hundreds of Ghanaians who did not see the African selections' games, are in provisional shelters in São Paulo, Criciúma and Caxias do Sul and dream of business. With work, they want to save money to live, attain some comfort and, above all, send resources to their families on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean.

The wave of migration of Ghanaians surpasses that of Haitians and Senegalese, who arrived years ago with similar histories. After some time saving and eventually with the help of family members, they "invest" close to US$1.5 thousand to undertake the Accra-Casablanca-São Paulo trip by plane, paying extra for a bus trip and surviving some days in Brazil. Almost all are young men, between 20 and 30 years old. They arrive only with the clothes on their bodies and depend on assistance.

Fueled by the information that in Caxias do Sul the Federal Police (PF) was authorized to comply with 20 requests of refuge per day and could have jobs, part of the Ghanaians that were already in Criciúma took the path of the Serra Gaúcha (Gaucho Highlands). To arrive, they were protected by the Migrant Service Center (CAM), linked to the Catholic Church, and received support from the Human Rights Commission of the City Council. In the sports gymnasium of the Seminário Diocesano Nossa Senhora Aparecida, a place found by the CAM to house them, the Ghanaians from different cities formed a community without a defined number. They sleep on mattresses on the ground and are sheltered with blankets and jackets donated by the community. They are also organized in teams to prepare the food, wash dishes and keep the area clean.

The site housed 37 people on July 4th and 120 on the night of the 14th. Since then, the number has fallen. One hundred arrived the night before last. Not all those who arrive from Caxias do Sul stay. Only one third of the 371 that sought the CAM until yesterday stayed in the gymnasium.

On site it is possible to see, simultaneously, scenes of Ghanaians leaving their names and qualifications for the CAM volunteers, taking information to forward the request of refuge to the PF, playing soccer, praying, sleeping, preparing a meal or cleaning.

The vender Haruna Ali, 24 years old, native of Accra, was one of the first to obtain complete documentation. He requested refugee status from the PF and, with protocol, arranged for working papers and a Unified Health System (SUS) card. The day before yesterday, he transferred his information to CAM. He informed them that he is available to work as a delivery man for gas or in construction.

Ali said that his salary of close to US$100 monthly in Ghana made life very difficult. Nevertheless, he spent eight years saving up to emigrate until he had the opportunity. Brazil was chosen because of the news that the country is growing, has jobs and would facilitate visas for the World Cup. He imagines that if he earns R$1000 Brazilian reals per month he will be able to continue living and send something home to his sister and mother. "It is because of my family that I am here."

As the majority of Ghanaians are Muslim, a carpeted space was created behind the gymnasium so that they all could pray facing Mecca. To pray, the migrants stand aside a large cross put on the wall of the Catholic institution's sports gymnasium. "The Gospel is for everyone, without distinction of race, color, or culture," said Father Edmundo Marcon. The interaction is peaceful. The Ghanaians say that they are well welcomed and feel respected.

Article Translated by Erica Kliment, Staff Intern with the Brazil Institute at The Wilson Center

Photo Credit: Eser Karadağ