The Swimmers

The story begins in Rincon a small village between Tetuan and Sebta in north Morocco. Saad is a 13-year-old boy, son of a fisherman and a humble mother who sells vegetables in the local market. Saad was always a bright kid, full of energy and ambition. He started going to school at the age of seven and always did well.

By the age of 17th Saad had learned the facts. I am not talking about Physics, Math, Tarbia Islamia and Felsafa kind of facts; No, I am talking about reality and life in the land of no opportunity. Saad learned that the salary of a waiter in Spain is 4 times more than that of a 4-year degree graduate from Tetuan, who makes 4 times les than a Diwani who watches the Moroccan border with Spain.

One evening while getting ready to go to sleep, Saad thought to him self, "If I study for 4 years and then work for another 4, I will never make as much money as the waiter in Spain, will not be able to marry the women of my dreams, who for sure will marry Diwani. After all, who want to be with a poor boy from Rincon. So why not drop from school and migrate to Spain. After all many Moroccans have done it and they sure drive some very nice cars when they come to morocco in the summer.".

The next day, Saad skipped school and went to hangout at Castillejos, a small village near Sebta where unemployed young Moroccans gather to talk about how to migrate to Europe. Castillejos was a colorful little village indeed that complemented Saad’s higher education.

One day while Saad was bonding with some hopeless kids, he learned about a job that paid more per day than what his father made in a week. All he had to do was swim. "What a deal, I will work for few months, pay for my crossing to Spain and start making some good money." Saad thought to him self. This was his big break. Saad decided to give the job a shot.

Not wasting any precious time, Saad asked his bodies to take him to Hmida the boss, 50-year-old men from Ktama known as the Contrabando Lord of Sebta. Hmida gave Saad the job description; "A weldi, first you go up the hill and cross the border to Sebta. There you will meet with Rebah, my right hand

men, who will give you the merchandise. You will then rope your self to the merchandize and swim your way back to Castillejos. Once you deliver the goods, you go back again to the hills and do the same run, Ah and what ever you do, avoid the Spanish border patrol. If you are caught, remember; I do not know you. That is all. Yallah hzem rasek o kon rajel. I will pay you 1 dollar for every trip you make."

That night Saad had dinner with his mother and father and never felt so proud of him self. He wanted to tell about his new job and brag about all the money he was going to make. However, he wanted to prove him self first, work for few months, make some good money and then tell his family all about his new plans for the future. Saad woke up early the next morning and got ready for his first job. He said goodbye to his mother and run to the buss.

Final stop Castillejos. Saad rushed up the small town’s hill. His hart was beating very fast, a mixture of fear and exhaustion. An hour later, he was in Sebta. So far, the job seamed easy. After all, the Spanish border patrol was on the take and did not care too much for these minor contraband runners.

In Sebta, he met Rebah; "Are you Saad the new kid?" Said Rebah". Yes, I am ready", replied Saad. "Ok, take this Fridge to Hmida and make sure not to loose it in the ocean. You don’t want to piss-off el maalem on your first job," shouted Hmida.

The fridge was 2 times the height of Saad and quite heavy but he managed to drag the big box of metal to the shore. The waves were pounding the beach and it looked like it was going to storm. Saad took a long rope and rapped it around the fridge. He then grabbed the fridge from and pushed it in the ocean while raping part of the rope on his small body.

Saad started his journey toward the border while dreaming of the bright future waiting for him. "A car, a house, a wife maybe a big business in Castillejos, Ah; one day all my dreams will come true" sighted Saad.

Suddenly, Saad felt a pain in his leg. He tried to ignore the cramp and continue swimming, but the pain was getting intense. He stopped swimming for a moment to ease the pain but the fridge started to take- on water. The situation was getting bad, Saad legs were frozen and he had hard time swimming. He was struggling to keep afloat and then suddenly out of nowhere a huge wave struck him and took him under the water with the fridge rapped around his body. Saad took a deep breath and gave-up to the mighty sea.

A sharp silence, images of a kid playing on his father’s lap, a baby pressed against his mother’s chest. Saad looked up while slowly sinking toward the bottom of the ocean. A warm tear ejected out of frozen eyes and bubbled with his last glance at the shining sun above. Saad blinked for the last time while letting out his final breath.

Although the story of Saad may sound like a drama, it is a reality for many Moroccan families today. Desperation, hunger, greed, bad influence, lack of opportunity to name few of reasons that push many young Moroccans to perish in vane. However, that is not the issues! We must recognize the dilemma of those we call Harraga and become sensitive to the fact that many of our people are dying every day trying to cross to Europe. Some make it and some drown before they set foot on the miss-promises land

To the swimmers that are laying in the bottom of the ocean between morocco and Spain. To those that are not remembered because we are a shame to do so, today we pray for you and may Allah bless your souls.

 driss_r_temsamani@msn.com