The Scaling Fences: Voices of Irregular African Migrants to Europe

“My father believed there was no value in girls attending school. He said I should focus instead on tending the house and prepare for marriage. I always knew that he was wrong and I longed to attend school and get educated.’ Carole, from Cameroon.

As part of a report, in 2018 I was assigned by the United Nations Development Programme - UNDP - to photograph African migrants all over Europe. The report presents the results of an extensive study exploring the perspectives and experiences of 1970 individuals who migrated through irregular routes from Africa to Europe, originating from 39 African countries.

Its aim is to contribute to a better understanding of the relationship between migration and development. The Scaling Fences report is the second major review of contemporary development issues affecting Africa to be published by UNDP’s Regional Bureau for Africa.

The report can be downloaded here.

‘ Ultimately, we all want the same things in life: good health, decent jobs, liberty and freedom to pursue opportunities for our families and ourselves. And because many people don’t feel they have that in Africa, they come to Europe.’, Aziz from Senegal

Aziz Abdoul from Senegal

“It has been almost 20 years since I came to Europe, and I’ve been through hell. There were days we were homeless with nothing to eat. But my daugthers are my greatest blessing. These days, I am taking classes to further my education. I want to protect girls that are at risk of trafficking. I also want to fight for migrants rights”, Vivian from Nigeria.

Memories of home at migrant settlement in Lepe, Spain

‘ I don’t have many complaints about being here. Sometimes I feel accepted and other times I feel like a foreigner. The main issues I have are the barriers to fully integrate into Italian society. But these are all temporary situations. I am destined for greater things in life. And I know I will accomplish my goals.’ Helen, from Nigeria

A shelter in the migrant settlement in Lepe, Spain.

“If you have a family, you have to ensure they have food, shelter, medicine and education. When I left Togo, my daugther was just two months old. People may ask what kind of father I am, to leave behind my wife and infant daugther. But what kind of father would I be, if I stayed and couldn’t provide them a decent life?”, Yerima, from Togo

“My father believed there was no value in girls attending school. He said I should focus instead on tending the house and prepare for marriage. I always knew that he was wrong and I longed to attend school and get educated.’ Carole, from Cameroon.

Mpanzu Bamenga, from the Democratic Republic of Congo. He now teaches at the University in Eindhoven, Netherlands.

Aliou Barry, from Guinea.

Joseph Peters, from Sierra Leone. He lives with his family in Rome. He flee the civil war in his home country.

Migrant settlement in Lepe, Spain