New families

On Tuesday all three of us got our own Saharawi family. Hanne is still in the familiy where all of us lived the first couple of weeks, while Anne Kristine and I (Marta) have moved into new families. In theory we now have one Saharawi family each, but in practice we rather feel that all of us got two new ones. The first family we lived in will, even for the two of us who have moved, still be very special. Even though only Hanne now lives there, Anne Kristine and I will without doubt come visit for a round of the sand game Sig, a friendly conversation or a cup of tea quite often. Upon arrival to the new families, it didn’t last long before they underlined that mi casa es su casa, no matter if your name is Hanne, Anne or Marta. (They are very hospitable, but do from time to time also mix up our names..)

I have moved to a young family consisting of a married couple and their one and a half year old son. The core family is small, but there are almost always some aunts, uncles, cousins or siblings around. In real Saharawi style the big family is never far away, and the tents of your relatives are usually very visable from your own tent. (Oh, sorry, from your mothers tent; by talking about your own tent you indirectly say that you are a married woman!)

After soon three weeks in the Sahara desert, we are slowly getting used to the Saharawi life in the refugee camps. Even our taste buds are starting to adapt. For every cup of tea we imagine that the amount of sugar is a bit less than in the last cup. When one of us accidentally poured coffee in the sugar cup, we did just barely notice that the coffee was a bit sweeter than usually. The heat doesn’t feel so harsh anymore and our daily routines go by without to many problems; from Saturday till Wednesday we work as English teachers in the morning, and take Arabic/Hassania lessons in the afternoon. After dark (around 7 pm) we often have different meetings or visits to Saharawis with important stories to tell. Our life in the camps is quite busy with work, school and meetings. To cope with the unbearable heat, a big motivation for us is the knowledge of us sliding down snowy hills with friends and family in the end of December. In our own country.

This is of course not representative for many Saharawis in the camps. There is not enough work for the people in the camps, and many spend days without to much content. The reality of a life in a refugee camp is not good. The conditions are harsh and the Algerian desert is not the home of the saharawi people.

It is a life that no one should have to get used to.