YAIM Sensitize Students on Effects of Irregular Migration

By Fatou Dahaba

Youths Against Irregular Migration (YAIM) in partnership with Cooperazione Internazionale (COOPI) has recently conducted public event sensitization caravan on effects of irregular migration in the North Bank Region (NBR) and Central River Region North (CRR).

The team engaged students of Badibu Njaba Kunda Upper and Senior Secondary School in NBR and Panchang Basic Cycle in CRR/North in a school gathering were returnees shared their experiences and opportunities available for young people in the Gambia.

Oumie Camara and Fatou Bojang female returnees shared their story with students. They said they embarked on the journey in search of greener pasture not knowing they are going to risk their own life just to have a better living in Europe.

They narrate that the challenges and hardships they went through during their journey cannot be over emphasized; according them as a female migrant they face lots of abuses and sexual violence on the back way journey.

The day also avail students the opportunity to ask questions related to the experience shared by returnees on some of the dangers they encounter on the perilous journey.

The regional youth chairperson of National Youth Council Mr. Shriffo Mboge who double as the chair of the ceremony disclosed that irregular migration have affected every family and community of Gambia noting central Badibu is vulnerable on irregular migration.

COOPI have a protection team that work on mental health and cyco social support and part of the cyco social support is awareness raising on the effects of irregular migration.

Fatou Suwareh a student urged her fellow students to stay away from back way while encouraging them to utilize on the opportunities available for them in the country.