Ever y year, between 2,000 and 2,500 illegal immigrants arrive in the Spanish city of Ceuta in search of a better future. This is the stor y of two young people, aged 19 and 20, who managed to sur vive a long and difficult journey. They travelled from Guinea , where they were born , to Ceuta . From Ceuta they hoped to be transported to a new life in Europe. However, their future was still full of uncertainty. Why? Why take a leap in the dark? Why stare death in the face? Did they live in a war zone? No. But they did live in a place with no future, a place of unfulfilled expectations and broken dreams. That was how two totally different stories came to an end . "I led a normal life, I was happy with my family and I was studying. But, I couldn't progress, there is no future for my project (he often uses this word to refer to his plans for the future)," says Habib. For his friend Alseny, the past was darker. He is the eldest son of a widowed mother and has three younger siblings. He worked as a driver, "with many problems", for a monthly salary of 50 euros. […] Their unsustainable situations and the news that so many others had reached their dream destination led them to leave their homes one night, perhaps never to return . […] One of the most dangerous parts [of the journey] is passing through Niger. The radical Boko Haram group is in the south , the Islamic State is in the north , and branches of al-Qaeda are on the border with Algeria . Conflicts involving the Tuareg and […] human , arms and drug trafficking also take place on the border with Mali . Their memories of crossing from Algeria into Morocco do not sound much better. […] A double fence 3.5 metres tall extends over 1,150 kilometres. The fence has radar, cameras and intermittent militar y patrols, who will not hesitate to shoot anyone who approaches. […] "The sea appeared easier, but I knew it was treacherous and that death could be round the corner," admits Habib. […] Nineteen people, including three pregnant women , were hanging onto a tiny dinghy. Hours later, it capsized on the rocks of Santa Catalina , resulting in three more broken dreams. "The man in the balaclava abandoned us in the middle of the sea . It was ver y dark and cold . We were afraid because dark-skinned people don't know how to swim," he says. At last, the dreamland appeared but their victor y was bittersweet: "My heart is torn . I'm ver y happy to be here, but the death of my companions will never leave me." Victoria C. Sol ano, in El Faro de Ceuta , 29th April 2018 (Adapted) 19 Analyse. What circumstances led these two young people to go on such a dangerous journey? How do you think they felt during the journey? How would you classify this type of migration? 20 Think. I magine a retired German couple decided to settle in Málaga. What do you imagine their journey and their lifestyle in Spain would be like? Can you identify any similarities between this experience and Habib and Alseny's migration? Do you think their reasons for emigrating are the same? Explain your answer. UNDERSTAND OTHERS. Have you ever thought about living in another country? Would you be prepared to make a journey like Habib and Alseny's journey? Do people only emigrate to escape poverty? O T H E R P O I N T S O F V I E W 50
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