Light Lies in Knowledge, and Ignorance in Darkness

Abbas is a 17-year-old boy from Egypt. He grew up in a family that, like many others, lived modestly but held great hopes for the future. From an early age, Abbas was hardworking and responsible; however, daily labor did not bring stability. The high cost of living and limited opportunities left him with few options. He attempted to find a pathway to build a better future, but when all doors closed, he was forced to choose a more difficult route. His family supported this decision, believing that one day, once he succeeded, he would be able to help them as well.

Abbas began his journey from Egypt, traveling through Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, Bulgaria, and Serbia before reaching Bosnia and Herzegovina. It has been a long and exhausting journey that has lasted four years. Along the way, he was exposed to inhumane treatment and a persistent sense of being unwelcome simply because he was a foreigner. On his route, he endured particularly severe experiences, including situations in which smugglers abandoned him without food or water. These moments remain deeply engraved in his memory—not because of hunger or exhaustion, but due to the unacceptable and inhumane treatment of people.

Despite everything, Abbas has not lost faith in himself. Before leaving his home country, at the age of 13, he worked as a cook. He grew to love the profession, as it gave him a sense of dignity, purpose, and independence. He said: “On this journey, I learned that I must not give up on myself, even when things are hardest.” His goal is to reach Italy, where he hopes to settle, continue his education, and work again, gradually building a stable and secure life. 

Friendship holds a special place in Abbas’s story. Throughout his journey, he realized how important it is to have someone by your side. For this reason, he felt genuine joy upon arriving at the reception center Ušivak and learning that one of his friends would soon arrive as well. In these moments of hope, Abbas demonstrates how deeply he values human connection.

Today, Abbas describes the conditions in center Ušivak as very favorable. He is fully aware of the importance of education, particularly learning the English language. He speaks positively about the Akelius classes, noting that team members are patient and make an effort to explain everything clearly. This approach is especially meaningful to him, as he remembers his previous schooling experience, where physical punishment was used by teachers—something he believes never leads to positive outcomes.

The Akelius Digital Language course is a digital educational platform designed for language learning, particularly English, and is widely used around the world in work with children and youth on the move, including refugees and migrants. It is made available with the support of the Akelius Foundation and UNICEF and adapted to users of different ages and levels of knowledge. Children at reception center Ušivak quickly grow fond of it, as it offers an accessible and user-friendly way to learn new languages and open doors to new opportunities. He shared: “Learning English means a new opportunity for me and a step closer to my dreams.” His teacher, Fatima Ejubović adds: “For these children, education is much more than knowledge — it restores their self-confidence and belief in the future.” Despite his difficult life journey, Abbas has maintained a positive outlook. At the end of our warm conversation, it became clear that behind his challenging story stands a young boy who refuses to give up on his dreams. As a closing thought, Abbas shared a wise Arabic proverb with us: “Light lies in knowledge, and ignorance is in darkness.”