Paisanos.
The story of Olga
Being born on the African continent as a European citizen is perhaps what has made Olga so open and respectful of different cultures. With a clear mission in mind, she continues to learn and spread the message of respect and understanding towards immigrants.
After finishing her studies in special education, Olga started working in the social field. In particular, she dealt with people with disabilities such as autism. At the moment, she is working as an intern at Human Mobility and then she would like to continue her previous work. She knows that by helping people, her life is complete.
“I was born in Melilla, North Africa and my husband is from Ferrol. Living and interacting with many cultures is something normal for me. I am used to living among different cultures: Islamic, Jewish, Hindu and Christian that are present on the north coast. We all live together and respect each other, celebrating different holidays and religions. There is no room for fighting or conflicts”.
Olga believes that many Spaniards are afraid that immigrants will take their jobs, forgetting that usually those who flee their country are simply looking for a better and safer life.
“People who want to enter Melilla or Ceuta arrive from other African countries after a very hard and long journey from their country of origin. They come desperate. And when they can’t get in, sometimes they get aggressive and try to get in at all costs. Of course, this is not good, but in a way it is understandable. The police officers are doing their job. However, governments and politicians should act differently.
I have no foreign friends here, I only met a French girl once. Maybe everyone feels better in their own group, more comfortable and protected. In Ferrol there are not many events where you can meet people, there is not much movement. There is not enough promotion by the city council. Maybe this could be improved.
Olga’s family lives in Andalusia. She herself believes that there is a lot of racism because of the agricultural nature of that part of Spain. In her opinion, employers may not be interested in hiring a Spaniard because they have to pay for insurance, etc. It is easier for them to hire an immigrant, not give them papers and pay black money.
“Instead of attacking those kinds of business practices of those in charge, people attack immigrants. Even though they work for very little money and also take some of that money to send back to their family, to their country.”
Olga notices racism among Spaniards from different regions. It is the result of a lack of understanding of different ways of acting.
“In Galicia that thought is not common, but from Madrid to the north people think that Andalusians do not work, they are all day laughing, partying or lying down, sleeping. But it is not like that, we work in a different way, with joy, with a smile, making jokes. On the other hand, we think that people from Madrid and the north are very serious”.
She also mentions that she is sometimes too dry by Galician standards.
“We, Andalusians, say things and it seems that we are saying them seriously, but it is not so. And many times here I have said something in jest and they have taken it seriously, not noticing the sarcasm or not understanding what I meant – then I have to explain it. You have to be very careful with your words.
What is the most important thing in your life?
The most important thing in my life is health. Because if you are healthy, you can do anything you want.