Leaving one’s country is not always a matter of choice, sometimes, it’s a necessity driven by harsh realities. Many unemployed graduates and precarious workers dream of a life marked by dignity and stability. Diane Kouanba, from Burkina Faso, is one such person. Holder of a degree in Information and Communication Sciences and Techniques, with a specialisation in journalism, as well as a Master’s in International Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid, Diane built her career working for various media outlets and NGOs. But over time, employment opportunities became scarce and securing work turned into a relentless battle. Confronted with these challenges, she made the difficult decision to leave her homeland in search of better prospects.

“I plan to explore other countries and places to seize new opportunities,” says Diane Kouanba. Canada, a country she greatly admires, tops her list of destinations. In Burkina Faso, Diane has worn many professional hats of journalist, radio presenter and humanitarian worker. Her last steady job as a radio presenter ended two years after it began. Once again on unemployment benefits, she refused to sit idle and instead secured an internship with an NGO. For a while, things seemed to be looking up. After several extensions, she began to hope for a permanent position. But just as a contract seemed within reach, she was hit with a major setback: the United States, through USAID, suspended funding to NGOs operating in the country. The project was abruptly shut down and Diane was back to square one. Still, she didn’t give up. A month later, she landed a service provider contract with a local company. The job helped her stay afloat – but the income barely covered her living expenses. While continuing to work, she sends out applications, holding on to the hope of something better.

The search for stable employment in Burkina Faso is becoming increasingly difficult, exacerbated by rising insecurity and the departure of many organisations from the country. Unemployment continues to climb. According to a survey conducted by the INSD – Institut National de la Statistique et de la Démographie (National Institute of Statistics and Demography) at the end of 2024 and published in April 2025, the unemployment rate stood at 3,5%

In this challenging context, Diane decided to try her luck abroad, with Canada as her first choice, hoping to gain international experience and find better opportunities. “I want to travel around Africa and the rest of the world to see where I can find work and make a living. As a young person, you really have to fight,” she says. Now in her thirties, Diane refuses to sit back and wait for things to change. She is convinced that no one will come to her rescue, and that she must carve out her own path. While she acknowledges that migration is not a miracle solution, she doesn’t see it as a loss for her country either. On the contrary, she intends to reinvest her earnings into the development of Burkina Faso. Still, Diane remains open to staying. If the right opportunity were to arise locally, she wouldn’t feel the need to migrate. In her view, migrants can contribute meaningfully to both their countries of origin and their host nations.

Even though Diane sees leaving as a potential solution, she does not view it as a permanent exile. Her hope is to return home when the time is right. As she moves forward with her plans, she is committed to doing things the right way. “I want to travel through the normal channels,” she explains, firmly rejecting any notion of irregular migration. She has already begun the process of authenticating her diplomas and submitting them to Canada for assessment. In preparation, she is also learning English and has registered on the official immigration platform.

Firmly opposed to illegal immigration and aware of its many dangers, Diane urges young people not to give in to that temptation. “Leaving is not the problem — it’s part of the quest for a better life,” she says. “But I advise young people to take the legal route. Leave, yes, but leave properly…” she concludes.