Mustapha
The Gambia
Born in Latrikunda Sabijeh, Mustapha holds a diploma in information technology and communication (ITC). He is the Secretary-General of Youth Against Irregular Migration (YAIM), a returnee-led assocation. He is a mentor to many young Gambians, expecially returnees.
Mustapha left the country to Nigeria to apply for a student visa to Taiwan in order to pursue his education. However, after being denied a visa, he decided to continue with his journey to Libya, were he faced a lot hardship. He decided to retun back to The Gambia and, with his colleagues, formed a returnee-led association. The association has worked with various international NGOs to create awareness on migration nationwide. He has vast experience in awareness raising, ITC, graphic design and once worked in the music and tourism industries. He is a youth figuer in The Gambia, always willing to voluteer in creating awareness on irreguar migration and related issues. He served as a panelist at the African Union Continental Youth Consultation in 2019 in Kampala, Uganda.

Returned migrants play a central role as Volunteers in the development, planning and implementation of the Migrants as Messengers campaign.

Through their stories, the learnings from their migratory experiences and their creativity, MaM Volunteers are the principal authors and actors of the campaign. From 2019-2022, a community of more than 300 volunteers across 7 countries will develop and grow. This community will also have access to diversified training and capacity-building opportunities and be invited to regular activities to support the development of an organic and sustainable community. Female engagement plays an important role within the MaM Volunteer community as they will take the lead in shaping women-to-women dialogue sessions and engaging female audiences more generally.