Fatou is an African woman from the Ivory Coast and comes to London as an economic refugee to work as domestic help for the Derawals. Fatou embodies the image of modern slavery in The Embassy of Cambodia.
From the former French Ivory Coast, Fatou and her father travel to former British Ghana. They both work at the Carib Beach Resort. With the words “It was not a holy place, that hotel”, Fatou describes how the hotel was often the target of sex tourists who let themselves be pampered [dt. verwöhnt] there. Her father worked as a waiter, Fatou worked as a maid. Before Fatou could leave the hotel to go to London, she was raped by a Russian when she was 18. The man’s wife, meanwhile, visited a former place of the slave trade. In order to cleanse herself of the rape Fatou sees swimming as a means of purification.
The only thing that Fatou remembers fondly is the baptism ritual, which she was able to observe every month. Through a people smuggler paid by her father, Fatou reaches Europe via Libya and the Mediterranean Sea. As an illegal immigrant, Fatou works as a cleaning lady in a Catholic girls' school. The main part of the plot depicts Fatou’s work as a domestic help at the Derawals‘ house. Her job with the Derawals is not paid, but, according to the Derawals, paid with Fatous’s rent. Fatou is exploited and the family treats her without any dignity or respect. Fatou has been beaten twice by Mrs. Derawal. The children insult [dt.: beleidigen] each other with the words “You’re as stupid as Fatou.”
Even when Fatou saves the youngest child’s life, she gains no recognition or gratitude. Despite the bad treatment, Fatou does not see herself as a slave. Religion and her adverse circumstances as an African person concern Fatou. She often talks about these topics with Andrew – to whom she has ambivalent feelings. The relationship between them becomes more intense when they go swimming together and Andrew confesses that he can’t swim. Concerning this capability, Fatou is superior to Andrew, which gives her a stronger sense of self-worth. Strengthened by her self-esteem, Fatou confronts Mrs. Derawal confidently and demands her passport in course of her dismissal. Fatou also ignores Faizul and the receptionist. With the term “own arrangements” Fatou defines her concept of independence.
Andrew is an immigrant from Nigeria. He probably came to the UK legally and is now studying economics at the College of North West London. In talks with Fatou, Andrew criticizes Nigerian politics. Andrew has found trust and support in faith. When he and Fatou meet for the first time, Andrew informs her about the Christian faith. Andrew is religious and goes to church every Sunday, but he’s not naive. He is enlightening Fatou about the relationship between feelings and faith: “But did you think you’d never feel sad again? Never angry or tired or just pissed off – sorry about my language. Come on Fatou! Wise up, man!”.
Fatou sees Andrew as educated and reflective. They often talk about politics and social circumstances at the Tunisian café. Andrew is in love with Fatou, so he wants to spend time with her. That’s why Andrew accepts to go swimming with her, even though he can’t swim. When Fatou is fired, Andrew supports her as best as he can. He looks for a new job for her and keeps her from becoming homeless. Andrew Okonkwo is one of the few people who fully respects and supports Fatou.
Mrs. Derawal runs a small market with her husband and she has three children. She treats Fatou disrespectfully and hits her twice. In addition, Fatou is exploited by her and Mrs. Derawal withholds both her salary and her identity card. Even when Fatou saved her youngest daughter’s life, Mrs. Derawal is still unkind to her. Asma’s mother even trivialises [dt.: verharmlosen, bagatellisieren] Fatou’s help. Only when Fatou confidently asks for her identity card after being fired, Mrs. Derawal notices what it feels like to be despised. At this point, she looks as if she had been beaten by Fatou. The Derawals embody the principle of exploitation [dt.: Ausbeutung].
Mr. Derawal is a businessman and father of three children. Both Mr. Derawal and Mrs. Derawal are Pakistani immigrants and enjoy greater prosperity than Fatou. The father of the family is the only one to thank Fatou for saving Asma. He is not present when Fatou is fired.
Ten-year-old Asma is the youngest member of the family and plays an important role in the scene in which Fatou saves her after she has swallowed a marble. Asma learns from her parents and siblings that Fatou is the inferior housewife. She also treats Fatou disrespectfully. She lets herself be hugged by Fatou, but she doesn’t thank her for help.
Julie is the eldest of the three children at the age of 17. Julie bullies Fatou and enjoys showing contempt of her. Julie is the child Fatou dislikes the least. With the words “Oi, she [Fatou] saved your life”, Julie says something that is very uncomfortable for the family.
Especially through the 15-year-old Faizul, the contempt of Fatou becomes clear. He insults his siblings with the words “You’re as stupid as Fatou”. Faizul reacts unemotionally to Asma’s emergency. Instead of compassion, he calls his sister “idiot”. In addition to his mother, Faizul faces Fatou‘s self-confidence she has acquired. When he wants to greet her at the moment of dismissal, she ignores him.