The Sea's Embrace: Healing Migrants' Trauma in the Waters of Santa Cruz

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Have you ever wondered what it takes to find solace after a journey fraught with peril? On the shore of Santa Cruz's DETtana Reef in Spain, Mamadu Mbala stretches out his arms and glides across the water, a simple yet profound act of triumph for the 24-year-old. But his story is far from simple. Among dozens of African migrants taking swimming lessons offered by volunteers, this Mali native recounts his harrowing journey to Spain's Canary Islands.

What drives one to embark on such a perilous voyage? Mbala's words resonate deeply: "I wouldn't do it again; it's very difficult, very very dangerous. It's a risk we took because we didn't have a choice." The weight of his choice hangs heavy in the air, a stark reminder of the desperation that fuels these journeys.

But the sea, once a source of fear and trauma, is now becoming a place of healing. For some migrants, who spent days on cramped boats, the very thought of getting back into the water evokes memories of loss and hardship. Poge Balazar, part of a team of volunteers, sees this firsthand: "There are people who come with a terrible fear. You see them entering the water, holding on to your hand as if clinging to life."

How does one overcome such fear? The volunteers at Santa Cruz are not just teaching swimming; they are offering a path to reconciliation with the water. This journey of healing is as much about the physical act of swimming as it is about the emotional and psychological scars these migrants carry.

The route from Africa to the Canary Islands has become the fastest-growing migration route in Europe. Spain's interior ministry reports that the number of migrants arriving by sea has surged by 160% from the previous year, reaching nearly 20,000 people. The Walking Borders migration rights group estimates that nearly 5,000 migrants have died at sea on this route. Amidst these staggering statistics, the volunteers hope to help 450 migrants find peace with the water before the end of summer.

Jorge Bazar, a volunteer, reminds us that behind these numbers are individual stories, dreams left behind, and lives forever changed. "In a few sessions, you see changes and their gratitude, which gives you a huge boost of energy." This simple act of teaching swimming is transforming lives, offering a sense of control and normalcy in a world turned upside down.

As we reflect on these narratives, we are left with a powerful question: How can we, as a global community, support those who have been pushed to the brink? The answer may lie in the healing embrace of the sea, where hope and resilience intersect, and where every stroke in the water is a step towards a new beginning.

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