io parlo italiano!

In the distant year of 2012, a turbulent story began—one that spanned continents and unveiled the dilemmas of a young Bangladeshi named Shambo. Originally from the village of Kalahati in Bangladesh, his journey, undertaken to escape family conflicts, economic hardship, and persecution tied to his Hindu beliefs, became an epic passage through the trials of life.

Exiled from his homeland, Shambo turned to loan sharks to cross borders and oceans in an attempt to reach Libya. However, the civil war there once again disrupted his plans, forcing him to embark on a perilous voyage to Italy. His words convey the desperation of the journey: "I saw 70 people die of thirst."

The first two years of this long-term reportage were dedicated to documenting Shambo’s initial struggles and his gradual integration into a small community in Molise. Yet, his story was far from fading into the past. Over the years, I continued to follow his journey, exploring both his professional and personal life.

Shambo’s return to Bangladesh marked a new chapter. There, he married a young woman and faced numerous challenges to bring her to Italy. Today, Shambo and his wife have built their life together in picturesque Molise, a region that has welcomed and embraced them.

Their story is not just a journey across geographical borders but a human odyssey of resilience and hope. Shambo and his family stand as a testament to successful integration—a story of triumph rooted in a small Italian community. Molise, with its warm hospitality, has helped shape Shambo’s future. Now a father, he bears witness to a new life full of opportunities.

Shambo’s journey is a tale of struggle against adversity but also of the strength and determination that emerge when people come together to build a better future.