Help Adama Find Peace — A Journey Back Home

Hello! My name is Nele and I am fundraising for my friend Adama* (35), born in The Gambia, and currently living in Albufeira (Portugal).

Adama grew up in The Gambia under difficult circumstances. She graduated as a teacher and taught at a school in her village. However, the wages were extremely low and she didn’t earn enough to live on. She and her family were living in extreme poverty.

But then, in 2021, she got the opportunity to go to Europe through a friend, grabbed this chance with both hands and moved to Portugal, where she was determined to work towards a better future. Against all expectations, ever since she arrived in Portugal, life hasn’t been any easier. Finding a stable job didn’t work out. She has been living in poverty and even on the streets, sleeping in basements, drawing on the streets and showering in parks.

From 2023 on, she was staying with a friend just outside Lisbon. This Gambian friend was willing to help her out of an unbearable situation. She was very grateful, but at the same time, the struggles added up: she lived in extreme poverty, the housing conditions were bad, she had nothing but some rice to eat and struggled with health issues.

Adama and I got in contact with each other through a common acquaintance and I met her for the first time in 2023 at her place. After that, we met up several times. I got to know Adama as a sweet, warm-hearted, funny and intelligent woman. She has admirable perseverance, and is unbelievably resilient.

During her search for a job, a permanent room, residence permit and passport extension, she faced nothing but obstruction. From bureaucracy to discrimination, from exploitation to fraud. She is currently living in Albufeira to work as a housekeeper. She works long days in poor and unhealthy conditions and earns barely enough to cover her rent.

Last Saturday evening, she called me, utterly upset. The landlord had kicked her out of her place, took her stuff and the only money she had left. This is not the first time that people in a power position (landlords/employers/lawyers) abused her situation.

We had a phone call the next day and talked about what could be helpful for her. One conclusion followed: she wants to go back to The Gambia. The circumstances are difficult there, she told me, but better than being here, all alone, with no money, no food, and no house. In The Gambia she has at least a roof above her head. And she has her family.

Her last words on the phone: "What did I do wrong to deserve all this? I just want peace."

What I'm raising money for:

Total goal: €3000

Feel free to donate whatever you want, every little bit helps. Thank you very much!

*name is changed for privacy reasons