I expected to secure employment right after arriving, imagining my life would be ideal, much like what I witnessed on Facebook.
Amadou Camara, a young Gambian who recently came back from an unsuccessful migration attempt, stated this. His narrative isn’t isolated. Many Gambians have their aspirations for a superior existence in Europe molded by social media and the circulating tales on such platforms. Nonetheless, the truth of immigration starkly contrasts with the alluring portrayals inundating their screens.
Reliving his hardships at his cattle farm located around 350 kilometers east of the capital city, Banjul, Amadou mentioned that upon leaving Gambia’s territory in 2021, he understood how distant reality was from what he had seen on social media platforms. He stated this during his time at Kundam.
I witnessed individuals being tossed into the Sahara Desert, which was the scariest experience of my life.
He stopped momentarily as he secured his livestock to the post.
I’ve experienced prolonged periods of dehydration with minimal food intake. You won’t find people sharing this on their Facebook pages.
Common Myths about Europe
Migration has consistently been an integral aspect of the Gambian story, with Europe commonly viewed as the ultimate destination. Nevertheless, the misconceptions about migrating to Europe greatly differ from the actual experiences encountered by many migrants.
Social media frequently depicts European nations as offering abundant job opportunities, comprehensive free healthcare, and educational access for immigrants along with various benefits. Although this holds accurate for those who are legally resident, individuals arriving undocumented typically discover they are denied such provisions.
It is believed that there are more than 100,000 Gambians living in Europe, constituting approximately 60% of the global Gambian diaspora population, which includes both migrants and refugees.
Reports indicate that 5,873 Gambians reached Europe in 2024, with 4,000 arriving via unauthorized pathways across the Mediterranean. The majority landed in Italy and Spain.
Europe is a Continent of Quick Riches
A lot of individuals think that upon arriving in Europe, they will instantly secure employment and begin earning money.
states Mustapha Camara, a local social worker who has assisted returnees.
This statement is incorrect. Many migrants face difficulties for extended periods, often lasting several months or even years, without securing steady jobs,
stated Mustapha, who was also a returnee.
Similar to Mustapha, countless other Gambian immigrants share these beliefs due to the seemingly ideal lives of fellow Gambians living overseas.
For Tijan Jallow, whose ambition was to become a professional football player, viewing images of other young Gambians excelling on superior fields in Europe and enjoying what seemed like a desirable lifestyle made it an straightforward choice for him to try and pursue that same experience.
Prior to heading to Europe, I was training with a local first-division team, and even though things weren’t flawless, they were quite satisfactory.
said Tijan Jallow,
Seeing photos of some of my buddies on Facebook who were working alongside me but enjoying well-maintained, pristine soccer fields seemed insane, man. That’s when I decided I had to head to Europe as well.
Mr. Jallow managed to achieve his goals when he reached Germany in 2015 with the intention of turning professional upon arrival. Nevertheless, the actualities of life in Europe did not align with his expectations.
“I used to work in a factory and I lived in a container house,”
he narrated. ”
It was so bad that I was ashamed to take pictures of my house. I struggle to make ends me and send back home so football is no more a priority”
The simplicity with which certain Gambian migrants describe their journey can result in unattainable expectations for others.
Many people believe that migration is as simple as purchasing an airplane ticket or sailing across the Mediterranean after seeing successful accounts of migrants online.
states Mamina Jallow, who serves as a volunteer Migrant as Messengers for the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in The Gambia.
Having firsthand experience of the perilous journey undertaken by irregular migrants as a returnee, Mamnina shared insights from conversations with fellow returned migrants. He mentioned that thousands of Gambian migrants set out on these treacherous paths without being fully aware of what they were getting into. Additionally, he pointed out that misinformation spread through social media contributes significantly to this issue.
Several of these migrants are swayed by what they encounter on platforms such as Facebook and WhatsApp statuses.
he said.
Although Europe boasts a rich tapestry of different cultures, racism and discrimination remain substantial obstacles for immigrants.
Social media fails to depict the challenges faced by Black individuals in Europe. Numerous Gambian arrivals believe they will be readily welcomed but instead encounter difficult truths.
Micahel Gomez, a university student in Italy, shares his personal reflection on this matter.
Many people believe that European nations require substantial labor force participation, allowing individuals to easily secure employment across different industries. However, the reality often differs as numerous immigrants frequently end up working in unauthorized and unstable positions without adequate safeguards.
The Part Played by Social Media in Influencing Migration Choices
Social media holds a key position in influencing how Gambians perceive migration. According to an Afrobarometer survey released in 2024, nearly 80% of Gambia’s online users gather information from platforms such as Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter), WhatsApp, or other sources.
From Facebook to Instagram, youngsters encounter an onslaught of pictures portraying success and wealth in Europe, which shapes their choices to move there. As per Mariama Ceesay, a Gambian individual hailing from Barra, Northern Bank Region of Gambia, who reached Spain in 2023 following multiple unsuccessful tries, life in Europe doesn’t match up to what’s depicted on social platforms.
Before when I was back home, I used to browse Instagram and come across posts of people showcasing their fancy apartments and vehicles. It made me believe that obtaining all those things would be simple if I relocated there.
she said
It has been years since I’ve remained without proper documentation and have been working in menial jobs that I wouldn’t be doing back in Gambia.
Social media has not only shaped perceptions but also created a network for people to share their migration stories.
“Most of what we know about Europe comes from people we know personally or their posts online,”
explains Mariama,
Yet nobody mentions the chill, the solitude, or how difficult it becomes to secure employment after arriving here.
Migration Specialist Bubacarr Singhateh stated,
Social media holds significant sway over how Gambians perceive and decide on unauthorized journeys to Europe. Sites like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp abound with pictures and narratives of fruitful migrations, portraying an idealized and frequently unattainable image of European life.
he said.
These platforms enable migrants to showcase what appears to be successful experiences, but these portrayals can be deceptive.
He narrated:
Frequent immersion in this type of content ignites ambitions and leads numerous individuals to believe that moving abroad is the sole route to achievement and improved living conditions. The impact intensifies due to the scarcity of reliable data regarding the dangers and obstacles linked with unauthorized migration. As a result, social media emerges as an influential instrument in forming perceptions around migration stories and choices.
Impact on Migration Decisions
Social media frequently circulates myths that lead many young Gambians to make transformative choices with an incomplete grasp of the outcomes. This has prompted numerous individuals to undertake perilous and unlawful migratory paths, including traversing the treacherous Sahara Desert or trying to sail aboard overfilled vessels towards Europe.
I was informed that upon reaching Europe, my circumstances would improve significantly,
Oumar Njie, who encountered difficulties in Germany prior to his deportation in 2023, says this.
I found myself trapped in a camp for several months, and once I secured employment, it was under extremely harsh conditions. The vision I had envisioned bore little resemblance to the actual experience I encountered.
As per Migration Expert Singhateh,
The interactive quality of social media facilitates quick dissemination of information and individual stories, enabling aspiring immigrants to reach out to those who have completed the move. Such person-to-person impact encourages people to be more daring in taking risks.
he added, ”
thinking that successful outcomes are common rather than rare. As a result, social media not only motivates individuals but also frequently offers useful guidance and connections required to undertake these perilous ventures.”
Consequences of Unrealistic Expectations
The outcomes of unreasonable expectations can be quite serious. Numerous Gambia natives reaching Europe encounter an unpleasant truth starkly different from their aspirations. Survivors of the perilous trip frequently end up in unstable situations, finding employment difficult and perpetually worrying about being sent back home.
Europe isn’t just about sunshine and rainbows; you frequently face being seen as an outsider, and finding employment can be challenging.
says Karanba Ceesay, a Gambian migrant who spent two years in France before returning home.
I recognized that I could have attained many of my goals in The Gambia if I had been provided with the proper chances.
A prominent Gambian migrant advocate in Germany, Yaya Sonko, states that numerous Gambians face significant difficulties when they arrive in Europe and come to terms with their unmet expectations.
Social media feeds frequently display nothing but highlights: parties, great careers, luxury vehicles—giving an illusion that life in Europe is effortless and highly rewarding. However, many of our Gambian brothers face significant hardships as a result. They waste valuable time and get sidetracked. Numerous individuals dedicate countless hours to platforms like TikTok and Instagram, pursuing fleeting fads or fast-cash opportunities instead of acquiring useful skills or getting ready for genuine employment. When they finally arrive here, they understand just how challenging things really are,” he stated. At times, up to six people can be crammed into a tiny space. Some find themselves detained under deplorable circumstances in deportation centers.”
For individuals returning to The Gambia following difficulties overseas, the mental strain can be overwhelming. Numerous cases involve trauma, depression, and feelings of inadequacy.
The essence lies not merely in the physical voyage but in the lasting emotional resonance,
states Mustapha, the migrant rights advocate.
The profound feeling of letdown arises when the actual experience of European life fails to live up to the expectations set by social media.
As stated by Yaya Sonko, the migrant advocate based in Germany, the approximate number of undocumented Gambian immigrants across key European locations is nearly 50,000.
He pointed out that Germany as a whole is home to anywhere from 16,000 to 30,000 Gambians.
Based on data from the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, there are 16,000 Gambia residents living in Germany, with 4,240 of them lacking legal residency status (this includes those whose asylum requests were denied).
Other references suggest the number is nearer to 30,000, with approximately 17,000 located in Baden-Württemberg alone.
In Baden-Württemberg, there are more than 15,000 documented Gambia nationals seeking asylum, with over 4,000 having been denied protection and potentially subject to deportation as of late 2024.
The state government stated it was ready to deport between approximately 2,600 and 6,000 undocumented Gambian individuals, varying according to the specific year and information source.
Spain has witnessed numerous irregular arrivals of Gambia nationals through the Canary Islands route. From 2014 to 2018, more than 35,000 Gambians arrived in Europe unlawfully.
Sweden, Italy, and Malta also accommodate considerable numbers of undocumented Gambian individuals, though these figures are not as accurately measured. These immigrants frequently work in unofficial capacities within the informal economy.
When combined, official estimates and those from NGOs indicate that there are more than 50,000 Gambia citizens residing in Europe, with approximately half of them lacking proper authorization to stay.
Suggestions for Tackling the Problem
Experts recommend adopting a multifaceted strategy to address the misinformation and myths circulating about immigration.
Key among them included the need for various stakeholders to embark on Migration Awareness Campaigns.
They proposed that educational institutions like schools and community centers should provide social media education programs to assist youngsters in effectively evaluating information found online.
It’s important to educate young people about the fact that not all information found online is accurate,
says Mustapha.
Critical thinking has the potential to safeguard human life.
Experts have also proposed offering feasible alternatives, reinforcing lawful immigration channels, and assisting returning migrants, amongst other measures.
Specialists contend that initiatives aimed at aiding returnees’ assimilation back into society are essential.
It is crucial to make sure that people who come back do not have to manage alone,
says IOM Volunteer Mamina.
“They need support, counseling, and opportunities to rebuild their lives.”
Myths surrounding Europe, magnified through social media, persistently influence the migration choices of numerous Gambians. Nevertheless, specialists argue that by tackling these misconceptions, enhancing digital literacy, and offering better prospects within their own country, The Gambia could decrease the frequency of perilous and unwarranted migration endeavors.
A more prosperous existence in Europe can indeed transcend mere fantasy; however, this aspiration should rest upon the foundations of diligent labor, steadfastness, and the relentless chase for prospects—whether they lie within one’s own borders or beyond.
Amadou, now a content farmer living in his village, mentioned this.
This reportage was created with the assistance of the Informa project, which received funding from the European Union.
Provided by Syndigate Media Inc. (
Syndigate.info
).
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