I am a teacher in Tambacounda.

My former student decided to go on an adventure with the help of his big brother.

He sold his Diakarta motorbike to make a bit of money. He then left Senegal, and headed for Libya via Mali. In Mali, he bought a bus ticket to Alavés (in Libya). Upon arrival in Libya, the authorities imprisoned him for five months. In prison, he was only fed once a day. After leaving prison, he went on to Tripoli to look for work. For three months, he worked for just 20 dinars a day. One day, after he had finished his work, Libyan youths stole his wages.

He then decided to cross the sea to Italy, and spent a week at sea where he almost lost his life. On the seventh day, they were picked up by a maritime patrol which took them to a camp. There he received treatment and was looked after, spending two weeks in the hospital under surveillance.

He spent six months in the camp, before being asked to leave.

After leaving, he had to try and survive on the streets. He found work for 20 Euros a week but then decided to go on to France, via Spain, with the help of a friend. The authorities captured him in Marseille, imprisoned him for six weeks and afterwards extradited him to Senegal. Now he rides a Diakarta motorbike just like before.

This English translation has been possible thanks to the PerMondo project: Free translation of website and documents for non-profit organisations. A project managed by Mondo Agit. Translators: Rachel Holland, Paul Fisher. Proofreaders: Paul Fisher, Rachel Holland.