There is a new and recent phenomenon amongst Egyptian youth. Everyday vast numbers of poor desperate Egyptians are paying great amounts of money to smugglers who promise them a wonderfully successful life abroad (mostly in Europe). They embark on their journey to the new world often in vessels that are not fit for the journey, nor for the rough sea conditions. They sail through the roughest of seas and deal with unimaginably inhuman conditions, all in an attempt to live a new life abroad. A life where they are treated as humans, with rights and freedoms, and most of all with dignity.
Unfortunately, the majority of these vessels never make it to their final destinations. Many stories circulate through various news outlets, almost on a weekly basis, confirming sunken boats off the coast of Libya, smuggling rings foiled by police, families of victims demanding justice for their youth who died at sea. The list goes on, all confirming that the great majority of youth being smuggled never get to fulfill their dream. Those who make it and arrive safely, find other problems upon their arrival. They are usually greeted by the local coast guards and border patrol agencies who immediately apprehend the newly arrived illegal aliens and after background checks to confirm they are not terrorists on any of the international watch lists, the are deported to their countries of origin. According to the BBC news online website (news.bbc.co.uk), it is estimated that “almost half a million Egyptians have successfully entered Europe illegally in the last decade”, which serves to show that although people being smuggled are aware of the great risks and tremendous hazards they would have to overcome, the reward at the end of the journey (living abroad and leaving Egypt) is more than worth it to them, in fact it is seen as a risk worth taking.
The Majority of people choosing the smuggling route out of Egypt have no other options. They are usually peasants from poor and impoverished backgrounds with basic or no formal education or schooling. In effect it is desperation and hopelessness that have led them to their decision. They are not however the only class of people looking to leave their country behind. Again, according to the BBC, “it is found that 50% of students who take up postgraduate studies in Europe and the United States don’t return to Egypt.” This shows that not only are the poor and uneducated who can not find means of making a decent living in Egypt are leaving, but in fact the majority of the brightest and most talented of Egyptian pupils as well.
There are two quotes that I believe will help in the understanding of why this apparent exodus is occurring in Egypt. They are also a good way to conclude this article I believe. The first comes from a civil servant named Saeed who exclaims “My country hasn't given me anything; I've been working on a temporary contract for seven years earning no more than $50 a month. I would migrate without hesitation if I get the chance”. The second quote is from Dr Azza Koraim, a social studies professor at the University of Cairo, who says “The injustice in the workforce market gives jobs to the rich or the relatives of important people and deprives young people of the right to hope”.
Unfortunately, the majority of these vessels never make it to their final destinations. Many stories circulate through various news outlets, almost on a weekly basis, confirming sunken boats off the coast of Libya, smuggling rings foiled by police, families of victims demanding justice for their youth who died at sea. The list goes on, all confirming that the great majority of youth being smuggled never get to fulfill their dream. Those who make it and arrive safely, find other problems upon their arrival. They are usually greeted by the local coast guards and border patrol agencies who immediately apprehend the newly arrived illegal aliens and after background checks to confirm they are not terrorists on any of the international watch lists, the are deported to their countries of origin. According to the BBC news online website (news.bbc.co.uk), it is estimated that “almost half a million Egyptians have successfully entered Europe illegally in the last decade”, which serves to show that although people being smuggled are aware of the great risks and tremendous hazards they would have to overcome, the reward at the end of the journey (living abroad and leaving Egypt) is more than worth it to them, in fact it is seen as a risk worth taking.
The Majority of people choosing the smuggling route out of Egypt have no other options. They are usually peasants from poor and impoverished backgrounds with basic or no formal education or schooling. In effect it is desperation and hopelessness that have led them to their decision. They are not however the only class of people looking to leave their country behind. Again, according to the BBC, “it is found that 50% of students who take up postgraduate studies in Europe and the United States don’t return to Egypt.” This shows that not only are the poor and uneducated who can not find means of making a decent living in Egypt are leaving, but in fact the majority of the brightest and most talented of Egyptian pupils as well.
There are two quotes that I believe will help in the understanding of why this apparent exodus is occurring in Egypt. They are also a good way to conclude this article I believe. The first comes from a civil servant named Saeed who exclaims “My country hasn't given me anything; I've been working on a temporary contract for seven years earning no more than $50 a month. I would migrate without hesitation if I get the chance”. The second quote is from Dr Azza Koraim, a social studies professor at the University of Cairo, who says “The injustice in the workforce market gives jobs to the rich or the relatives of important people and deprives young people of the right to hope”.
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Dear yasmin
ReplyDeleteMany thanks for your far point of view particularly during this period and we must put hand in a hand to raise our voices to find the best and the ideal solutions for this vital problem to avoid more loses between our sons which means our future
Totally agree with you Mr. Hussein.
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot