In brief
Facing extreme poverty, Mouhamed Oualy, a farmer from Senegal, is determined to make the perilous Atlantic crossing to the Canary Islands. Despite the severe risks, including death, dehydration, and exploitation by smugglers, Oualy sees this dangerous journey as his only hope to provide for his family.
Senegalese farmer Mouhamed Oualy has never seen the sea, yet he prepares for a dangerous journey from West Africa to the Canary Islands, a route notorious for its peril. The Atlantic Ocean, known for its treacherous conditions, has claimed countless lives, transforming into a mass grave for migrants seeking a better future in Europe. Oualy, motivated by a dire need to support his family in Senegal, has spent the past year working as a motorbike taxi driver at a coastal departure point, saving up for the perilous trip. He borrows money and cautiously agrees to pay smugglers only if he safely reaches the Canary Islands, aware that many have been scammed along the journey. Onboard crowded pirogues, migrants like Oualy endure long, harrowing days at sea, facing exhaustion, dehydration, and a constant threat of drowning. Despite having no sailing experience, Oualy is driven by desperation and a fierce determination to succeed, viewing the journey as a necessary risk to escape poverty. The Canary Islands have become a critical gateway for migrants fleeing sub-Saharan Africa, especially as other Mediterranean routes are increasingly blocked. However, the influx has overwhelmed local emergency services, leaving them overstretched and exhausted, while xenophobia among citizens grows.Oualy's first attempt ends in failure due to engine troubles and internal conflict among the migrants, forcing them to return to Senegal. However, his resolve remains unshaken, as he vows to try again. His story highlights the extreme lengths to which many go, risking their lives for a chance of economic security, despite the precariousness and peril of their journey.As migration pressures continue to mount, European governments and local authorities call for immediate action to address and manage this humanitarian crisis, emphasizing shared responsibility across the continent. Oualy's journey sheds light on a grim reality faced by many and the organized crime networks profiting from their desperation.
