the hidden side of the fairy tale

In recent years, the fashion world has been fighting over them. South Sudanese top models are on all the podiums, and parade for the most prestigious brands. Most of these young women have one surprising thing in common: they come from one of the largest refugee camps in Africa, Kakuma Camp, Kenya.

To escape poverty, many of these young people whose families fled the war in South Sudan dream of becoming models. The refugee camp is the scene of surprising scenes: on the wastelands, in the dust, parades in high heels and training sessions take place. The girls (but also the boys) hope to be spotted by the recruiters that certain modeling agencies do not hesitate to send to the camps.

They don’t know it, but the fairy tale they imagine has a hidden side. Ready to do anything to get by, these teenagers are easy prey for scammers or unscrupulous agencies. For Nyabalang, whose story “Special Envoy” tells, the dream turned into a nightmare.

Approached by a major African agency, then abandoned and threatened

Nyabalang was 20 when she was approached, in the Kakuma camp, by Joan Okorodudu, the director of one of Africa’s biggest modeling agencies. Very quickly, this woman suggested that he go to Europe. For the young girl, the offer cannot be refused: she sees it as the only way to escape the forced marriage that her father is arranging in South Sudan. So she signs the contract without really knowing what it contains. With around fifteen other girls, she went to the French embassy to get a visa.

In Paris, she had castings for Yves Saint Laurent, Balmain and Valentino. But none of these great designers select her for their shows. So her agency abandons her… Fifteen days after her arrival, she is told that she must return to Africa. Nyabalang refuses. According to her, her agent, Joan Okorodudu, then confiscated her passport and her phone. In a conversation allegedly recorded by a witness that day, and which Nyabalang cannot listen to without fear, we hear these threats: “Now you’re an outcast. They’re going to send you back to the camp. Do you know what’s going to happen to you in the camp? There’s prostitution there, do you know that? Someone’s going to abuse You.”

Indebted and humiliated after forced return

“She threatens us because she knows we are refugees, that we have no power, that our families cannot do anything against her”, Nyabalang said today in “Special Envoy”, confident of having “afraid that she will continue to humiliate children, and exploit them for her own interests.”

The day after this conversation, the young woman was put on a plane to Kenya. But Nyabalang’s nightmare does not end there. Not only was she fired, but her agents also asked her for 2,873 euros to reimburse her plane ticket and accommodation. The girl has no money to pay. She returns to Kakuma camp penniless and in debt. A humiliation for his entire family.

Excerpt from “Top model: the dream of refugees”, a report to be seen in “Envoyéspecial” on February 29, 2024.

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