Arif’s story – Artwork by Filippa Edghill

“We spent eight hours on the boat before it was in trouble, then three nights floating in the boat while it was sinking down.” – Arif

Arif was 15 when he left his home country alone in early 2011. He had borrowed $7,000 to pay smugglers and attempted to continue onwards to his destination by boat.

The sea crossing was long and dangerous, and journeys are often attempted in overcrowded, unseaworthy boats. Seven days into the trip, Arif’s boat got into trouble. A passing cargo ship rescued those on board and handed them over to police, who ignored the fact that Arif was a child travelling alone and transferred him to immigration detention.

Arif spent weeks in detention, confined for most of each day with unrelated adults. When he attempted to escape shortly after arriving, guards beat him severely in front of other detainees, including children. He was eventually released after bribing an official with $400.

Later that year, Arif tried to make the journey again. This time, his boat sank. Hundreds of passengers drowned, and Arif narrowly survived after spending three days and nights adrift with no food or water.

After being rescued, he stayed in a shelter run by a local NGO for unaccompanied migrant children. Although recognised as a refugee by UNHCR, Arif said the government did not recognise him as being in the country legally. He was unable to work or attend school and continued to experience the psychological effects of his journey and detention.