Mohammed S. has a specific goal: he wants to return to Gambia from Germany as soon as the travel restrictions associated with the corona pandemic are lifted. That is the 43-year-old's country of origin and where his wife and four children are still living. Mohammed S. wanted to offer them a better life, so some years ago he left his home town of Sare Hamadi in the Upper River region in the far east of the country and set off for Europe. He now reflects on that step with regret. "It was a mistake."
Mohammed S. is currently living in an initial reception facility in Heidelberg. He arrived in Europe at the end of 2015 and first stayed in Italy for a few years. There he struggled by with odd jobs, mostly helping on farms with the harvest. His desire to return to Gambia grew stronger over time. "I miss my family. My sons and daughters keep asking me when I'm coming home."