“If I had decided to leave my country, Côte d’Ivoire, for Europe it was because I was looking for a better tomorrow. I was desperate and youth-naïve. Yet what I was going to look for was there, right in front of my eyes. I just had to appreciate them, right here at home, in Africa.”

“My name is Maxim Ouédraogo, I am Ivorian and I am 34 years old. My story begins in Korhogo (Ndlr: City in the northern part of the Côte d’Ivoire) where I was born. After elementary school, I dropped out of college. In my neighborhood, I had no job. As a result, I was entirely dependent on my parents. I felt sad to see my parents struggling every day to provide for the family.

You know, in Africa, parents rely heavily on their children, especially if they reach the age of 18. I was not able to do anything for them. In short, I saw myself as a shame for my family. I was going through this anxiety when friends with whom I was in the same neighborhood called me by phone (it was a small Nokia-branded phone that one of my uncles offered) from Europe, more precisely from Italy. My friend told me about Europe and the opportunities that exist. Seeing my situation, I was quickly seduced by the idea of trying my luck in Europe. 

Europe at all costs

From that moment on, I started saving until I reached the amount required to pay the smuggler and take the road to Niger. My friend who was already in Italy had kept in touch with the smuggler who had facilitated his crossing to Libya. On the way to Niger, most of what I had was taken from me to pay for passes at police checkpoints. It is thanks to the support of friends that I was able to reach the city of Agadez. 

At first, I was desperate, because I could not achieve my goal, which was at least Libya. I found myself in Agadez with nothing. I had no money, let alone relatives next to me. I spent my first days in Niger at the station from which I had disembarked coming from Niamey, the capital of Niger. Nevertheless, it was in this situation that I made friends. Nor did I make distinctions about the odd jobs available to me. 

Touched through an awareness campaign

One day I could work as an apprentice carpenter and the other as an assistant mason. My life fluctuated between these two jobs until one day the NGO Alerte Phone Sahara spotted me. That day, the animators of this organization had come to educate young people about the dangers of crossing the desert. I was lucky to meet them and I took the opportunity to ask them a lot of questions, because the subject of their awareness session was of direct concern to me. They answered all my questions. It was through their answers that I was convinced to stay in Agadez and seize the opportunities available to me.

The first opportunity came from the NGO itself. They offered me to recruit myself as a relay for young people from other countries of the sub-region. I accepted the job.  In part, it is thanks to this work that I make my living here in Agadez.  I said in part because I am also employed in a restaurant in the city. With what I earn, soon I plan to start my own restaurant. Today my parents receive a small gesture (money) from me every month. I know it is not enough, but I am proud to finally be involved in supporting my family. All this has been made possible thanks to the hospitality of the people of the city of Agadez. I have never been indexed for the fact that I come from another country. 

My vision on the horizon, if all goes well, is to bring my younger brother here to help me manage my restaurant that will open soon.

As for my dream for Europe I forgot it, to be honest with you.”