At 15, Mohamed Saliou crossed the sea to Spain in a patera after a two-year journey from Guinea. Now 23, he works in an Almería hospital and pursues his dream of studying medicine, overcoming barriers and redefining his future.
On August 7, 2018, Mohamed Saliou—known as Moha—stepped onto Spanish soil in Motril after surviving a perilous sea crossing from Morocco. He was just 15, but his journey had begun two years earlier in Guinea Conakry, driven by the hope of a better future and the ambition to study medicine.
Moha left Guinea at 13, accompanied by a friend, with little more than enough money for a bus ticket. The route took him through Mali, Algeria, and Morocco, where he worked in construction and as a shepherd to fund each new stage. Months spent in Tangier and the mountains near Nador tested his resolve. His first goal was France, where language would ease his adaptation, but after seven failed attempts to cross to Europe, he finally boarded his eighth patera—a small, overcrowded boat carrying 48 people, including women with infants and other minors.
After 24 hours at sea, Spanish maritime rescue brought them to Motril. Initial records mistakenly listed Moha as 14, but his birth certificate confirmed he was 15. The journey had covered more than 4,000 kilometers and left a lasting mark, but it was only the beginning of his integration into Spanish society.
Building a New Life
Following his arrival, Moha was placed in a protection center in Granada, then transferred to a facility for minors in Padules, Almería. He spoke almost no Spanish and received just two hours of lessons daily. Enrolling at Valle del Andarax secondary school in Canjáyar, he completed the final years of compulsory education. There, he met Pilar Carmona, an English and social sciences teacher who would later become his adoptive mother and a key figure in his academic journey.
Determined to enter the healthcare field, Moha pursued a vocational qualification as a nursing assistant. Practical training led him to Hospital Vithas Almería, where he began working—first as an orderly, then as a qualified auxiliary nurse. His progress was noted in several media reports, including a 2026 interview cited by CanalSur, which highlighted his ongoing commitment to further studies.
Continuing Education and Ambitions
Moha's drive did not stop with his initial healthcare diploma. He completed a second vocational program in dental prosthetics, gaining experience in Milan, Turin, and Porto. Although offered a job in Portugal, he chose to return to Almería, working in care homes before resuming his hospital career. Each step reflected a deliberate effort to build skills and stability, moving from the protection system to independent adulthood.
His ultimate goal remains unchanged: to study medicine at university. Moha links this ambition to the lack of healthcare access he witnessed in Guinea, where many die without treatment due to poverty. As of 2026, he continues to prepare for university entrance, determined to use his education to help others, both in Spain and his country of origin.
Facing Barriers and Looking Forward
Despite his achievements, Moha acknowledges that integration has not erased all obstacles. He notes that being Black in a Spanish hospital still draws attention, and recounts experiences where he alone was asked for identification when out with Spanish friends. These moments, he says, are reminders of the subtle forms of rejection that persist even after years of study and work.
Yet Moha insists that dedication and willingness to work are what matter most to employers. His story was featured in the documentary short Una persona importante, aired by RTVE in December 2024, which follows his relationship with Pilar, his family, and his professional life. Eight years after arriving in Spain, Moha's journey stands as a testament to resilience, the transformative power of education, and the importance of personal support networks.
According to Talent24h, Moha's experience is not a universal template, but it does highlight the potential for young migrants to build meaningful lives in Spain when given the chance to learn, work, and belong.
