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Adal Nigusse began his irregular journey to Europe in 2002. His embarked from Kassala, a small town in the eastern part of Sudan, and then proceeded on to Khartoum. This was a time in which irregular journeys via Libya were starting to gain in popularity.

Fahad began his irregular journey at the age of 13. “It was never my intention to embark on a journey to Europe,” says Fahad, a young Somalian man in his twenties who was born and raised in Mogadishu. When Fahad was 13 years old, Al-Shabaab forcefully tried to recruit him. It was then that he made the decision to run away to Ethiopia. He ran away without his family’s knowledge, in fear that they would be forcefully asked to reveal his whereabouts.

15 year old Rahwa embarked on her irregular journey to Europe in 2015. The decision to make the journey was made together with her friends, and without her parents’ knowledge.

16 year old Lwam began her irregular journey in July 2014. Many of the students from Lwam’s school had already left the country and she found it difficult to concentrate knowing that her friends were gone. Her mother was particularly worried when Lwam left for school, worried that she would not come back at the end of the day, worried that she would cross the border.

18 year old Selam started her irregular journey in 2015 after having lived in Sudan for five years. She had left Eritrea in 2010 to move to Khartoum, Sudan, where she was living with her mother and siblings. Life proved to be difficult in Sudan. The government was cracking down on people who didn’t have legal permits, which made it difficult for Selam to work or study. Out of fear of being arrested, she decided to leave without informing her parents.

Yonas, an Eritrean refugee, is hoping to one day cross over to the UK. Like many, he fled Eritrea for Sudan, where he lived in a refugee camp for four years. Due to a difficult life and a constant feeling of insecurity, he decided to embark on the perilous journey to Europe, during which he witnessed unthinkable hardships affecting children and adults alike.

Hassan had heard about the difficulties that come with an irregular journey, but he decided to try his luck anyway. His family did not support his decision to embark on the journey and tried to discourage him. But Hassan’s mind was already made up. His focus was locked on the destination and the new standard of life it represented.

Mohammedsaid was forced to take the difficult decision of leaving his wife and two children in Eritrea in the hope that he would support them once in Europe.

Al Shabaab sentenced her to death for defying their rules. That’s when she decided to run away, and embark upon a journey which she had limited knowledge about.

Merhawit left Eritrea by crossing the Ethiopian border and was registered at one of the UNHCR refugee camps. Like many others hoping to reach Europe, she departed within a week and headed for Sudan.

Like many refugees, he departed Eritrea with limited knowledge of the journey which lay ahead of him. He left with the aim of getting to Khartoum, the major launch pad for refugees from the Horn of Africa heading to Europe via the Mediterranean. In Khartoum, Abraham, just like many others, would work to earn some money that would finance the journey.

Muhiim begun her irregular journey from Somalia in 2012 at the age of 17. As a teenager she was kidnapped, sexually abused and tortured by armed groups who had also wanted to marry her off. Luckily she was able to escape and get into Ethiopia. Whilst in Ethiopia, recuperating from the wounds inflicted on her, she became acquainted with the journey to Europe.