Not all that glitters is gold. The same goes for promises of a better life in a foreign land. But what happens when all that hope ends up in the darkness of a truck? Aldi, Eno, Xhastin and Ema in the show "O me 3, o me 8", became part of an experiment/challenge that aims to show the harsh truth of illegal immigration and the consequences it brings.
In a cold agreement, the four received their first instructions: "There is nothing without risk."
Travel time? Unpredictable - it can be 10, 12 or even more hours, because it all depends on luck. Paying…? We're not here to advertise, but let's just say it's A LOT!
Without much thought, the four got into a closed truck, filled with boxes and without any lights. They only had pieces of cardboard and some bread with them. During the long hours, they began to feel hungry, tired and numb from the cold. Everything around was chaos - falling boxes, cramped space and a feeling of claustrophobia that became more and more unbearable.
As the hour ticked by, nerves began to fray. With no possibility of contact with the outside world, the smiles gradually faded and heavy silence replaced all hope. Their legs froze and patience was a luxury they could no longer afford. Every minute seemed an eternity.
"Stop, Police!"
Suddenly, a message announcing the presence of the police stopped the truck. Hearts began to pound and for a few moments, the four of them thought it was all over. It was a fake stop - part of the challenge to show the harsh reality of the situation. But the fear they experienced was more real.
At the end of the challenge, everyone left with a heavy reflection of this reality.
This challenge was not made to scare, but to raise awareness. If even one person stops to think twice before taking such a step, we have done our job.
In reality, there is no challenge that can fully recreate the pain, suffering and horror of those who take this path. But sometimes, such an experience can serve as an insight that helps you understand that every path has a cost and that sometimes, the price is simply too high to bear.
So before you climb into that truck, stop and ask yourself: Is the risk really worth it?
