SENEGAL. 2008.

(Translation) "I was born in 1969 in Mamellas, Dakar. I am the son of Sekou Balde and Coumba Balde. I am the youngest of the family. I started to work when I was 10. At 20, I saw people in my area coming back their pockets full of money and buying big houses. I decided to leave to become like them. For 2 years I tried to get to Europe but it didn’t work. The Police sent me back to my country. Then I got smart. A business man (trafficker) paid me for finding people who wanted to go to Europe by boat. In a month I made a lot of money--like in a year of work. I did it for a while then I understood that I could make much more as a businessman.

Here is how it works. People pay in advance, I take the money, buy the boat, find 5 captains, a compass, 2 engines that works, fuel, food (Couccous, riz, biscuits, water), gas to cook, charcoal, life (saving) jackets for everybody, plastic bags for toilet, and blankets. I tell people that they can bring 2-3 layers of clothes for the cold, no luggage, otherwise the police becomes suspicious, they can bring the Koran, family pictures, religious objects for luck, no papers, the passport is sent afterwards. I have to bribe the port police, the military and the coast guards.

Unfortunately for me and the people in my boat, we were unlucky. After 3 attempts, they arrive in the Canary Islands but were sent back to their country and the police arrested me. I lost all my money. Now my plan is to save some money and try to become a businessman again. I think that it’s a good job because I help people with their dream and I can make a lot of money for me."