![Mbaye Diope (left) and Mornyang (right), both from Senegal, searching for better lives in Rome, Italy [photo by – Eric Kafui Okyerefo]](https://www.blankpaperz.com/wp-content/uploads/apollo13_images/B0E06BE6-BFBB-464B-B3F7-0268F004EB91-1wnmyiew66524ymn2gi8pepi5xbfw1u1vs4.jpeg)
As unemployment and corruption grows in Senegal, young people trickle into Italy
“I am lucky to be alive. Some of my friends died on our way here in 2017. I don’t like to talk about it. It is really hard for me. I want to forget,” Mbaye told Eric. Mbaye and Mornyang are among thousands of undocumented African youth in Europe who are constantly fleeing the economic hardship in their region. Eric Kafui Okyerefo tells the story of their lives. A story of hope and hardship.