You are hurtling through the desert on the back of a pick-up truck. You are squashed in there, possibly 40 people, one on top of the other, finding it almost impossible to breath. The pick-up is flying through the desert at break neck speed, it hits a rock, swerves, and before you know what has happened, you are on the ground. It is the middle of the night. The truck driver doesn’t see you fall. And even if he did, he won’t stop anyway, such his is intent to get to the next drop-off point so he can relay his cargo, and get his cash.  

This is what happened to “John,” a soft spoken but assertive 30 year old from Nigeria. He had just left Agadez, Niger, and was intent on getting to Libya. Through good fortune, he was able to save himself but he says, others were not so lucky. Dead bodies were littered across the desert.  

He did not know how they died.  

More stories about young men, too often villified by too many, are in this series. Trying to make a better life. Often in Libya. Contrary to popular narrative, only 1 in 5 of those in Libya try to get to Europe, many because they are propelled forward by fear for their lives.  

April 2018