‘Backway’ (irregular migration) returnees refer to people that embarked on irregular migration either by sea or land to foreign countries, seeking greener pasture, and are back due to countries of origin after failing to reach their targeted destinations.
Malick Drammeh is one of those returnees, who has now embarked on rebuilding his life, after a failed attempt to reach the shores of Europe.
He made the irregular and dangerous journey when he was at the tail of a 9-month course on graphic design – in the 8th month to be precise. “The desire to take the ‘backway’ was stronger than completing my course,” he admitted.
Narrating his experience on the journey, Malick described it as risky and fatal.
He lamented the situation of The Gambia country, highlighting lack of opportunities for the youth as a push factor.
However, he informed that upon his return from his incomplete journey, he relied on his knowledge in graphic design and with the help of a brother he was able to open a printing shop, where he prints T-shirts, birthday cards, photocopy, and scanning among others.
“I have been reliant on this business to earn a living for myself and family,” he affirmed.
Malick says he is thinking of ways to expand his business. However, he said he does face some challenges. “Sometimes it takes 4 to 5 days before getting a contract, which is bad for the business because the shop is new.
He took the opportunity to call on the youths to find something meaningful to do in the country, including business.
For Sarjo Fatty, also a returnee, he was pressed to embark on the irregular journey by the condition of his mom. “Things were hard for her. She is not getting any younger. I wanted to provide for her, and make her happy,” he said.
Sarjo admitted peer pressure was also a motivating factor for him to take the ‘backway’, as many of his friends had left and successfully reached their destinations.
On his ordeal, Sarjo said their boat got lost at sea en route to Spain for 15 days, before they got spotted by Morrocans. “We ran out of food and water and I had to drink salt water because that was the only available water,” he lamented.
He went on: “If I was a weak minded individual I would have gone mad by now because of the things I saw”.
The returnee expressed gratitude to IOM for their support. “Upon our arrival, they organise a business training for us, and each received a certificate. We were given options to choose from any business of our choice; so I chose animal rearing, and I was given sheep to rear,” he added.
Sarjo decided to go back to school after the training “because that was my only hope”. He revealed that before he left for backway, he found it difficult to concentrate in class, “but now I am grateful to God that I am focused on my studies”.
He advised the youths to focus on their education, and those working to do it to the best of their abilities.
