From Student to Teacher: Mamadou’s Journey
When Mamadou arrived in Málaga from Guinea, he began attending the Spanish classes at Fundación Asha-Kiran like so many other newly arrived young people: eager to move forward, yet facing a major language barrier and a completely new reality.
Learning a language from scratch is not only about memorizing words. It is also about trying to find your way in an unfamiliar city, understanding documents, attending medical appointments, building relationships, asking for help, or simply being able to express what one feels. For migrants, language makes the difference between isolation and the possibility of beginning to build a new life.
Mamadou attended the classes regularly and showed a constant interest in learning. During this process, he was also supported by a Mentor from Asha-Kiran, a key figure who helped him not only with language learning, but also with the everyday and emotional aspects of adapting to Málaga. Thanks to this close support, he gradually gained confidence and moved forward step by step.
Of course, his progress was not immediate. It was the result of perseverance, practice, and sustained human support over time.
Today, Mamadou has taken a deeply meaningful step: he has gone from being a student to becoming a literacy teacher within the Vínculos Project.
He currently leads two class groups per week, supporting other migrants who are in the same situation he was in when he first arrived. His experience allows him to understand very closely the difficulties, fears, and insecurities of those who are just beginning. That is why, in his classes, he not only teaches the language, but also creates a space of trust, closeness, and motivation.
His journey reflects that when a person receives support, opportunities, and accompaniment, they can not only rebuild their own life but also become support for others.
At Asha-Kiran, we deeply believe in this human chain of mutual learning, autonomy, and community.
If you would also like to support newly arrived migrants, even online, you can join us as a volunteer:
📞 +34 677 20 01 63
📩 fundacion@asha-kiran.org