In the middle of the Mavrovouni migrant camp, on the Greek island of Lesbos, two smiles contrast with the misery of the surroundings. They are those of Mohamed and Israa, the residents of container number 247. In this maze of emergency housing, where 1,800 people are living, the two young Sudanese welcome us with cheerfulness and warmth into "their" prefabricated house.

Sitting on a single bed, Mohamed and Israa tell the story of their romance. Later, they pose for photos, necklaces and piercings visible, casually playing up for the photo shoot, flattered to be subjects. Since their arrival in Lesbos on October 21, 2022, after a dangerous journey across the Aegean Sea, they have been imagining their new life. "Once we are regularized, we want to start a construction business," said Mohamed, explaining that he has experience from working in the construction industry on the outskirts of Khartoum.

Above all, they want to be together. Both left home on their own and they are now far from their families, with whom they have lost contact. Aged 25 and 22, they first met in the Turkish city of Izmir last September. At the time, they were staying at a smuggler’s house, waiting to leave for Greece by boat. The house was packed with a hundred people, a place of "fear and anxiety". The occupants – migrants of various origins – were divided randomly into groups and put in different rooms. Israa found herself in a room together with a number of men. "Other migrants repeatedly tried to touch me", said Israa. Mohammad witnessed it. "He came to help me and he defended me several times."

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A ring, ice cream and a rose

The two young people became closer and they ended up never leaving each other's sides. In a hostile place, where their future was determined by weather conditions and the orders of a smuggler, Mohamed proposed to Israa on September 28. A week later, they tied the knot. "We had a religious wedding in the mosque of Izmir. There were two witnesses who were people at the mosque that day," said Mohamed.

In the smuggler's house the migrants were not given anything to eat, so they had to go and buy food on their own. But leaving the house was dangerous, because in Turkey migrants are often arrested by the authorities: "I was afraid of being imprisoned and sent back to Sudan," said Mohamed.

Despite being afraid, the couple lingered in the streets of Izmir after the marriage ceremony. They bought two rings, their engagement rings, for 200 Turkish liras (about 10 euros). Mohamed offered ice cream and a rose to Israa. "I was so happy, I felt like I was soaring with happiness," she said. "Since I've been with Mohamed, I feel like I finally have a life of my own."

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'My village was attacked'

Israa is originally from Darfur. When she was three years old, in 2003, the civil war broke out between Sudanese government forces and rebel groups, including the janjaweed militia, leading to the extermination of thousands of people and the displacement of millions more. "My village was attacked, I saw the militiamen burning the village" said Israa. "It was the last time I saw my parents alive. They were victims of 'ethnic cleansing'." Isra went to live with her aunt, whose husband abused her. Israa left Sudan as soon as she could.

Mohamed fled after being subjected to threats. "I was accused, along with my uncle, of helping military groups in Sudan," he said. The young man denied the accusations: "I had nothing to do with politics, but they started following me and my uncle. After his death last year, I decided to immigrate in search of a safe life." Mohamed left in September 2022. Since then, he has not been in contact with his two sisters or his mother, who remained in Sudan in order to protect them. "I can't contact them, I would put them in danger if I did."

Both Mohamed and Israa are looking for one thing: protection. "It brings warmth to my life to be with Israa," said Mohamed, seated next to her. "We do everything together, we share everything, joy and sadness," added the young bride.

Mohamed has been granted refugee status, but Israa is still waiting. Confident and optimistic, the couple is already planning their honeymoon, "on the island of Santorini," as soon as their situation is stable.

Once they obtain refugee status, many migrants encounter significant difficulties in Greece. Many are left to their own devices, often without shelter or food. Since 2019, the conservative government has gradually reduced access to housing and reduced financial assistance for refugees, believing that such assistance stimulates immigration. 

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