«Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu is an African saying that can be translated as follows: “A person is a person through other people”. Protection is a function that feeds on sharing and interaction, and this is why the association offers this opportunity to anyone interested. The active participation of everyone is crucial to guarantee the success of our initiatives and the well-being of the minors we assist.” Vincenzo Tritto he is the president of the newly formed association Guardians Msna Puglia odvwhich took its first steps in Bari thanks to the commitment of a group of volunteer guardians and guardians of unaccompanied foreign minors. The partnership was born «from the need to give a united voice to the guardians of our region: citizens who, voluntarily, dedicate themselves to supporting the UAMs coming from difficult contexts and who arrive in Italy without a reference adult».
According to data updated to 29 February 2024 by the General Directorate of Immigration and Public Integration Policies, in Puglia 866 UAMs are welcomedespecially males, in particular minors between 16 (26.33%) and 17 years old (53.58%) to be present in all the Apulian territories. They come from Gambia, Egypt, Guinea, Tunisia, Ivory Coast, Eritrea, Ukraine, Mali and so on. «The situation is subject to variations, with periods in which landings are very frequent and the adequate facilities for minors do not have enough space to accommodate everyone. As a result, some of them find themselves forced to live in structures unsuitable for their age, sharing spaces with adults in poorly educational contexts and without having adequate references. Among these unsuitable structures” he highlights Tritto «we find the Cara in Bari, the Cara in Brindisi and sometimes also the Hotspot in Taranto. The latter is conceived as a place of transit, but in periods of high influx it often hosts minors for longer periods. Outside of these structures, the minors are distributed in communities across the territory, located quite uniformly between the different provinces of Puglia.”
After completing a training course organized by the regional Children’s Rights Guarantor, guardians are registered in a register at the Juvenile Court competent in their area of residence. Designated by the Judges by decree, they represent a figure external to the community in which the minors are entrusted. «In carrying out their role, guardians often find themselves facing a series of difficulties and obstacles that slow down children’s access to the services and opportunities available, starting from bureaucratic obligations with the relevant institutions, such as courts, Police stations, schools and hospitals” he highlights Tritto. «Many guardians, with great commitment, work to resolve these problems and speed up the procedures necessary to best carry out their role. However, often finding themselves faced with a variety of challenges alone, individual guardians are not always able to achieve the desired results.”
In carrying out their role, guardians often find themselves facing a series of difficulties and obstacles that slow down children’s access to the services and opportunities available
Vincenzo Tritto, president of Tutori Msna Puglia
Hence, the need to do more: «The association was born with the aim of act as an authoritative point of reference both for the guardians themselves, facilitating the exchange of solutions and good practices, and for the institutions, facilitating the administrative processes that the guardians encounter during their service». Because the task of the UAM guardian «is mainly to guarantee the well-being and protection of the entrusted minor. This implies in the first place listen carefully to the boy trying to respect his time, understand whether he has had the opportunity to establish contact with reference adults in the country of origin and verify his health status. Furthermore, the guardian ensures that the minor’s accommodation conditions are adequate and satisfactory from a hygienic and health point of view and supervises all the minor’s activities during his stay in the foster community, usually made up of around 15 minors although numbers may vary.” Not only. Because «the guardian undertakes to listen and stimulate the boy’s future expectations, offering advice and support, as a parent would with their child. Collaboration between the guardian and the community is fundamental to guarantee adequate guidance for the minor and prevent illegal situations, which unfortunately can occur when minors are left alone” highlights the president. “This close collaboration between the guardian and the community helps to provide a safe and secure environment for the child, promoting his or her healthy development and overall well-being.”
But How does the figure of the guardian impact the life and reception process of an unaccompanied foreign minor? «The role of the guardian is fundamental in the reception process of unaccompanied foreign minors. These boys face a solitary journey across deserts and seas, often encountering violence and danger along the way. When they arrive on our shores, they are naturally confused and scared, finding themselves in a completely different context than what they are used to. The guardian, therefore, becomes an essential point of reference, offering not only time and affection, but also guidance and legal support. Through her commitment, the guardian can contribute to giving a positive direction to the path of these children, helping them to integrate into society and build a future for themselves.”
Also because the difficulties that the MSNA encounter in their path to inclusion in Italy are multiple and complex. «First of all, the language barrier represents a significant barrier, making communication difficult and limiting access to available services and resources. Next, there are the cultural differences which can generate misunderstandings and inconveniences in daily interaction. The different approaches to solving problems and waiting times can cause frustration and confusion for these children, who are accustomed to a different social organization in their country of origin. Furthermore, the complex bureaucratic procedures they are often difficult to understand for them, adding further challenges in trying to obtain documents, permits and access to services. Finally” he says Tritto «there is the issue ofsocial acceptance, since meeting them can arouse fears and prejudices in some Italians. It is important to reflect on our reactions to those coming from other countries, to also try to overcome our cultural and linguistic barriers, to foster a climate of welcome and inclusion.”
We must be aware that isolation and exclusion can push them towards non-legal paths. It is essential to cultivate a climate of welcome and understanding, offering them an environment in which they feel welcomed and supported
Vincenzo Tritto, president of Tutori Msna Puglia
Consequentially, Tritto raises a reflection that involves everyone: «What can these kids perceive when they encounter our gazes of fear, fear, harshness, indifference and distance? It is a reminder of our responsibility, as these feelings can profoundly influence their path. We must be aware that isolation and exclusion can push them towards non-legal paths. Therefore, it is essential to cultivate a climate of welcome and understanding, offering them an environment in which they feel welcomed and supported.” The association, therefore, has among its aims that of raising awareness of more and more people to approach this role and support the path of the UAMs welcomed today. Even because, “there is a widespread need in all the provinces, but especially in the provinces furthest from the regional capital, such as Foggia and Lecce. Here, the number of minors hosted far exceeds the availability of resident guardians. In these situations, judges are faced with two options” he highlights Tritto. «Assigning a large number of minors to the few guardians resident in Foggia or Lecce, with the risk of reducing the individual attention and quality of time to be dedicated to each one, or appointing guardians from other provinces, such as Bat or Bari or Brindisi, who however may have difficulty guaranteeing adequate support due to geographical distance.”
From this identified need, the association has already offered its availability to contribute to the training of new guardians and guarantee them assistance in the exercise of guardianship, proposing suggestions and solutions also born from the comparison with the national association Tutori in Rete of which the Apulian organization has joined. For those wishing further information on the association, it is possible to write an email to the address: [email protected]
