In southern Italy, a social hostel known as “Dambe So,” meaning “house of dignity,” is helping migrant farm workers regain respect, safety, and a sense of belonging. Located in San Ferdinando, in the province of Reggio di Calabria, the project offers decent housing to seasonal agricultural workers who are often forced to live in unsafe and overcrowded camps.
Every morning, migrant workers staying at Dambe So leave early, riding bicycles for long distances to work in citrus fields across the region. Some cycle up to 20 kilometres a day, while others wait by the roadside hoping for transport. Despite long hours of hard labour, many residents still attend Italian language classes organised at the hostel in the evenings.
Poor housing remains a serious issue for migrant workers in Calabria. Many are pushed into the “tendopoli,” a large tent settlement on the outskirts of San Ferdinando. Migrants say racism makes the situation worse, as landlords often refuse to rent homes to Black workers, leaving them with no choice but to live in unsafe conditions.
The idea for Dambe So came from lived experience. One of its founders, Ibrahim Diabaté, once worked in the fields himself and lived in the tendopoli after losing his job in northern Italy. He explains that emergency housing solutions have failed for years due to poor planning and lack of political will. Together with Francesco Piobbichi of Mediterranean Hope, he decided to create a dignified and stable housing alternative.
The hostel, which opened in 2020, can house up to 72 migrant workers in 15 apartments during the harvest season. Residents manage the house themselves, cook their own meals, and pay a small monthly rent. The aim is empowerment, not charity. Migrants can stay for up to six months, although a few remain longer due to ongoing work in the area.
Beyond housing, Dambe So offers vital support services. Migrants receive legal and union assistance, medical consultations with Doctors Without Borders, and access to Italian language lessons. A radio programme is also produced on-site to educate workers about their rights and protect them from exploitation.
The project is funded mainly by Mediterranean Hope and supported by SOS Rosarno, an organisation that fights against labour exploitation through ethical farming cooperatives. During the summer, when the harvest ends, the house becomes a responsible tourism hostel to support its sustainability.
While the hostel has improved relations with residents, racism has not disappeared. Migrant workers have reported harassment, dangerous acts by drivers, and disrespectful behaviour. Still, Dambe So continues to stand as a model for dignified migrant housing and peaceful integration.
By providing safe shelter, education, and support, the social hostel in Calabria proves that humane solutions can change lives. For migrant workers who are often invisible and excluded, Dambe So offers more than housing — it offers dignity and hope for a better future.