Have you ever wondered what it takes to find solace after a journey fraught with peril? On the shore of Santa Cruz's DETtana Reef in Spain, Mamadu Mbala stretches out his arms and glides across the water, a simple yet profound act of triumph for the 24-year-old. But his story is far from simple. Among dozens of African migrants taking swimming lessons offered by volunteers, this Mali native recounts his harrowing journey to Spain's Canary Islands.
On the shore of Santa Cruz's Tenna Reef in Spain, Mamadu Mbakal spreads out his arms and glides across the water. For the 24-year-old, this is more than just a swim—it's a major achievement. Mbakal is one of dozens of African migrants taking swimming lessons offered by volunteers, following their treacherous journeys to Spain's Canary Islands. The Mali native arrived in Tenerife after a grueling six-day boat trip from Senegal, with over 200 others. "I wouldn't do it again," he says. "It's very difficult, very dangerous. It's a risk we took because we didn't have a choice. It's tough."
The sea, often perceived as a boundless expanse of freedom, can also be a致命 abyss for those who dare to venture into its depths. In a heart-wrenching journey, young men from Sagal and Mali have braved the ocean's fury, their lives hanging by a thread as they crossed the Atlantic in overcrowded vessels. "We were 215 souls on board, departing from Sagal, and the journey spanned six harrowing days," one survivor recounted. Their arrival at the Canary Islands was not the end of their struggle but the beginning of a new chapter of healing and hope.