Book launch: ‘Dying To Live – Stories From Refugees On The Road To Freedom’

Jul 10, 2021

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A book launch organised by Justice & Peace Commission, JRS and Migrants Commission
“We don’t look for a better life… just life.” These were the poignant words quoted by author Danielle Vella at the launch of her new book ‘Dying to Live’, at the Archbishop’s Curia in Floriana, which captures the collective experiences of men, women and children from around the world who have had no other option but to leave their country in order to survive.
Also present on the panel was Daniel Jude Okoeguale, who shared his story, his journey and search for safety which was to take three weeks but eventually took three years of travel, loss, imprisonment, perseverance, three push-backs and endless detention. During his journey he also discovered his talent for art, which at one point provided him with an opportunity to be saved from further ill-treatment. “If someone offers you an opportunity which you don’t know how to fulfil, go home and figure out how,” he said, when talking of a moment when a prison guard saw his drawing on a cell wall and asked for his portrait to be painted.
His Grace Archbishop Charles Scicluna shared a few words, asking “Are we happy with what we are doing?” with regards to the rescue and reception of asylum seekers in our waters. “On the European level we are frustrated with the lack of support for Malta, but that gives us no right to ignore the plight of those at sea.”
“Is this right? Is this the right policy? Is this the right way to treat human beings?” he asked.

It-tnedija tal-ktieb “Dying to live – Stories from refugees on the road to freedom” fil-bitħa tal-Kurja tal-Arċisqof, il-Furjana – 08/07/21
Aktar ritratti: knisja.mt/ritratti

 

Dr Katrine Camilleri, director of the Jesuit Refugee Service Malta, said that detention on arrival following a traumatic journey “continues to cause untold suffering for innumerable men and women.”
We can still find hope in these experiences when they finally find people who treat them as equals, and relate to them as friends, brothers and sisters.
“A refugee, for better or for worse, depends on the treatment they receive on their journey and at their destination. Every kind gesture counts.”
If only we could hear these words more often: “Before I was surviving. Now I truly live.”
‘Dying to Live’ is published by Rowman and Littlefield and is available from major online retailers such as Amazon and Book Depository. Copies of the book are also available at the Archbishop’s Curia in Floriana.

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