Seven years after arriving in Spain on an inflatable boat, Ale Gueye has managed to establish his life aspirations in Guadix. The young Senegalese man, who landed in the Canary Islands in December 2019, has found a home in this town in Granada, where he shares an apartment with other compatriots who also emigrated during the 'cayucos' crisis.
His journey to Europe began in pursuit of dreams that materialized after setting foot in Fuerteventura. With a suitcase and a book of poems by Pablo Neruda, he traveled to the mainland in February 2020, arriving in Madrid and subsequently in Guadix, where a cousin awaited him. During his initial stay at the Tefía shelter, Gueye shared his story, his unfinished Spanish studies, the lack of future prospects in his country, and his passion for reading, requesting books and dictionaries.
The first months on the mainland were challenging, coinciding with the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, which hindered his job search. However, Gueye found work in various agricultural campaigns and on a farm, and currently holds a labor contract for pruning poplar trees. Regularizing his status through employment-based residency has been a key milestone, although he has also experienced labor exploitation in campaigns like the tomato harvest.
Despite the difficulties, Gueye states that his dreams have come true: having legal papers, a job, and being able to help his family in Senegal, to whom he sends money monthly. He has not forgotten his origins or the people who supported him in Fuerteventura, such as Carmen, known as 'Mama Africa', or Lola, his Spanish teacher.
Currently, Ale balances his work with obtaining a truck driver's license and participates in community activities such as attending the mosque on Fridays and playing football on weekends with other African and local youths in Guadix. He acknowledges the danger of the sea route but considers it the only option given the difficulty of obtaining visas for legal travel.
Neruda's poetry book, which he always carries with him, continues to be a source of inspiration, and he dedicates time to the Chilean poet's verses whenever his routine allows.
