From Migrant Teen to Engineer: Moroccan’s Journey to Success in Spain

At the age of 15, Moustapha decided in 2015 to board a boat with other compatriots to reach Spain in order to build a better life. "I arrived in Algeciras (Cádiz) with the intention of being able to join my brother in Cuenca, where he was living," he recounts to ABC. The young man was able to go to Castilla-La Mancha where he was taken care of in a reception center for minors of ACCEM, an NGO that supports refugees, migrants and people in a situation or at risk of social exclusion.

"They took very good care of us... They taught us the Spanish language and gave us courses on everything," he says, admitting that he had difficulty adapting to this new life. The young man attended classes at the IES Fernando Zóbel in Cuenca and, at the age of 18, he was integrated into the empowerment program for young people in difficult situations in Castilla-La Mancha, financed by the regional government and managed by ACCEM.

Today, at the age of 24, Moustapha is at the end of his industrial electronics engineering degree. A path made possible thanks to this program which provides financial assistance, tutoring and psycho-educational support to the beneficiaries. "Without the help of the Administration, it would have been totally impossible to access university," says the young man who currently resides in Ciudad Real. The young Moroccan is eager to find himself in the job market, after so many adventures, sufferings and efforts.

Moustapha did not fail to give advice to young Moroccans who, like him, express the desire to leave the kingdom. "The first thing is to train and be a good person, and to know what you want in life. If you want to travel, you have to be clear about your goal. It’s not as simple as it seems or as it’s described to us." The Moroccan also denounces racism and xenophobia. "Fortunately, I have not had any problems with discrimination. [...] Every person has the right to a dignified life. Tomorrow, the migrant could be anyone."