HELP AHMED STUDY IN BOLOGNA

I’m Alice, and I used to work at the British Embassy in Khartoum. Ahmed is a former colleague of mine. I’m fundraising on his behalf- all funds will be sent direct to him to allow him to pursue his dream of studying in Europe and using that experience to bring support back to the people of Sudan.

Ahmed is a refugee from Sudan, who was driven out of his country by the devastating conflict that erupted in April 2023. He’s currently in Libya, supporting his family whilst looking for opportunities to improve the situation back in his home country. Through his hard work and tenacity, Ahmed has a once in a lifetime opportunity – a scholarship to study a Masters in International Cooperation on Human Rights and Intercultural Heritage at the University of Bologna, Italy. After studying, he plans to return to Sudan to work in the humanitarian field and support those affected by this awful conflict. His scholarship is fully funded, but in order to apply for a visa Ahmed needs to show that he has access to 7000 euros. Please help Ahmed achieve this goal!

Ahmed’s story:

My goal is to work in humanitarian aid to increase efficiency in helping more vulnerable people to disasters and armed conflicts. With this scholarship, I can complete my master's program and continue to solve problems within my community. It will enhance my research skills and strengthen my knowledge of advocating for human rights and fully participate in international development.

When the war broke out, I was working as a residential security guard at the British embassy in Khartoum. Because I was ambitious, I had bar exams and got my license as a lawyer. I was planning to prepare my office in Khartoum; unfortunately, war broke out.

During the war, I had 3 months with my family in Khartoum. We could hear and see air bombardment and shelling, smoke covering the sky. Every day we hear people crying because of indiscriminate attacks on houses.

Some of my neighbors and I decided to volunteer in a nearby hospital. I and other fellows were arrested for 2 days and beaten for no apparent reason. We were released from there. I did not return home; I traveled directly to Madani City in central Sudan. Along the journey, we stopped at more than 17 checkpoints. All passengers had to get down for inspection. They looked at their faces and asked for jobs. If someone is suspected of being a soldier , he might be shot or get arrested. We faced the same thing in RSF and Sudan Armed Forces control areas.

On 13 September, I reached Madani. I arranged for my family to join me from Khartoum. A fellow lawyer welcomed me to start with him; he gave me three civil cases to plead in court, but the courts are not functioning properly. Every day we heard rumors that the RSF were coming to take over Madani, so I had to take an adventure.

I began my journey from Mandin to Dongla in North Sudan, to the triangle on the Sudanese and Libyan borders. We had to wait for 2 weeks for the Libyan traffickers to arrive. We started on 16 October, heading to Koffera closet city to Sundae's border. It was a very hard journey. There were 32 people who shared only one Toyota Tundra pickup. After two days, we arrived at Koffera. Because the city is surrounded by trenches, we did not enter through the main gate. The driver contacted the military patrol to ask whether it was safe or not to come in. At that time, we had a break behind a mountain. When he was given a signal , he speeded up toward the defenses. He passed and reached the city. We got down to a small farm crowded with people called Asaad Al Azoomi farm.

I had two weeks in Kufra, where I met some Sudanese fellows heading to Tripoli. I joined them on a new adventure to another Libyan city, Ajdabiya. We started again from Kufra with a convoy of 4 vehicles, all of them Toyota Tundras. We made a contract to pay later when we reached the city. We took two days on the road, and then we went down to a residence similar to a prison. You had to pay first, and then they released you. Anyway, I paid, and so did my fellow members. Then they drove us by taxi to the city center to a place called Sudanese Nationality.

I spent a week in Ajdabia, and then I started another journey to Tripoli. It costs about $60 by taxi. Foreigners could travel on the main street to Tripoli, the Libyan drivers facilitating the issuing of health certificates to passengers and paying bribes at checkpoints. The worst moment throughout the journey was that, at the first checkpoint, the soldiers searched our pockets and bags and took our money.

I arrived in Tripoli on 6 November 2023. We got down in the old city. I did not know anyone. I met many Sudanese, told them my story, and they hosted me. First, I booked an appointment with UNCHR and registered for asylum. Shortly I got a supervisory job at a hotel in the city center; I was able to buy a personal laptop and sustain my family. I am searching for jobs in Libya. The most available job is accountancy. Although my major is law, I did online courses in accountancy. Right now, I am employed as an accountant with Falcon Libya, a company for contracting concerts. I never lose hope or surrender to life; I am always looking for the best.

Before I set out for this journey, I put in place a clear plan to go out and work to assist my family and challenge myself to look for new opportunities. I have no plan to cross the sea to Europe; I am only waiting for lasting peace in my country to return and participate in peacebuilding. On the other hand, I have been looking for new opportunities to strengthen my education.

I work hard around the clock searching online for new opportunities; lastly, I got a scholarship to Bologna University in Italy. The main challenge is that I don’t meet visa requirements due to proof of funds, and I don’t have a bank account in Libya. What I need is a sponsorship letter and bank statement for 6 months to proceed with the visa application.