Kamal’s journey begins in the lush hills of Nepal, where he completed a bachelor’s degree in social work and embarked on a master’s in Sociology, along with multiple social projects across his home country.
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In 2022, he made the decision to join his sister in Portugal, who herself had moved from Cyprus after seven years.
The move proved very costly: he paid over €10,000 to reach Malta before continuing to Portugal. In Lisbon, Kamal works long hours in a store, from 8 a.m. to midnight every day except Wednesdays, earning below the minimum wage. Despite the hardships, he remains focused and determined, holding clear plans to resume his studies and build a life in Europe.
Kamal’s story includes objects and memories that tie him to Nepal: a small plate of gundruk—fermented leafy greens—a cup of black tea beside a view of the green hills of his village, the iconic dhaka topi he wears on special occasions, the resonant conch shell used in meditation, a small statue of Lord Ganesha, or an image of Lord Shiva, one of the most revered deities in Nepal, known as the “Destroyer and Transformer,” representing both the power of destruction and the promise of renewal, a resonant metaphor for every act of migration
KAMAL'S MOSAIC
Ticket Malta – Porto, 2022
Despite enrolling in a master’s program in Sociology, Kamal decided to join his sister in Portugal. His journey was not an easy one – it began with a two-week stopover in Malta, a stepping stone on the way to Portugal. To reach Malta, Kamal paid nearly €10,000 to intermediaries who arranged his passage, an enormous sum that he continues to repay today. From there, he finally boarded a flight to Portugal – the ticket shown here – marking the start of a new chapter.
Many Nepali migrants take similar routes through Malta, guided by intermediaries who promise legal entry or work in Europe in exchange for vast amounts of money, often exceeding €10,000. Once in Malta, migrants may stay temporarily before finding ways to continue to other European countries, such as Portugal or Italy, often navigating uncertain legal and economic situations.