Many young people in The Gambia take the dangerous back route to Europe out of desperation or due to social pressure. Some get stranded en route in countries such as Libya and Tunisia and face violence, exploitation and detention. Others are deported from Europe. Back in The Gambia, they often struggle with trauma, stigma and a lack of prospects for the future, meaning the likelihood of them migrating again remains high.
The M.O.O.I. Foundation and the Future Tomorrow Foundation are committed to supporting these young people. We offer trauma counselling and psychosocial support, and strengthen their social and economic opportunities through training, coaching and career guidance. In this way, we help them rebuild a sense of purpose in their own country.
We also focus on prevention. Through education, community dialogues and campaigns, we raise awareness of the dangers of the ‘backway’ and reduce the stigma surrounding deportation. The programme is implemented locally by FTF in collaboration with three Gambian partner organisations. Together, we are building recovery, resilience and a hopeful future for young people in The Gambia.