Zoan’s Story, Venezuela
Photo by Creativos en Colmena/2014.
“My name is Zoan*, I’m 44 years old, I come from Africa and I am a carpenter.” Zoan arrived in Venezuela in 2009. He was a victim of political instability and ethnic tensions in his country. Zoan’s father was a human rights activist, and even though his profession had nothing to do with politics, he always took an interest. Zoan’s role as an activist cost the lives of his father and uncle due to political repression and he was imprisoned for four years where he was tortured.
Desperate to flee prosecution, he arrived in Venezuela, victim of international human trafficking networks, after paying a large amount of money. When he arrived, they left him stranded with no documents, very little money and without being able to speak the language. He was detained for a while in Venezuela, where he could finally get in touch with UNHCR. They helped him start his application for refugee status in the country.
With the help of UNHCR and 250 bolivares, Zoan bought a toolbox and got a job as a carpenter at a workshop in Caracas. Zoan admits he feels very lonely sometimes, but he says “now I am much better, I feel happier than in my country.”
*The original names and some details of the story have been changed for protection reasons.
