Banjul, the Gambia – Ten years ago, Alagie’s life in Banjul wasn’t easy. Still, he had both his parents, a wife, a home, and a dream of making a better life for them all in Europe.
Now the 34-year-old, who asked that his full name not be used to protect his privacy, has lost much of what he had.
Alagie left the Gambia in 2014, taking the irregular “backway” to Europe before he was forcibly returned eight years later.
“I wanted the best for my wife and future children,” he told media about his decision to leave, looking sadly at the wedding photo on his wall.
Although still married, he cannot afford to support his wife and their 10-month-old baby, forcing her to return to her parents’ home.
“My wife loves me deeply,” he said. “If it weren’t true love, she would have divorced me and moved on.”
When Alagie first left for Europe, he travelled to Morocco by boat, then smuggled himself by land through Algeria, Tunisia and Libya, before crossing the Mediterranean towards Italy.
The difficulties started almost immediately. “Many migrants I travelled with from Libya – mostly from Mali, Nigeria, and a few Gambians – drowned. I was among the few lucky ones who made it to Italy,” he said.
Landing in Italy in 2015, he was immediately placed in a refugee camp for several months. “The easy life I imagined in Europe was nothing like the harsh reality I faced in Italy.”
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