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NameBitongo
Gendermale
Country of OriginDemocratic Republic of the Congo
Destination CountryMauritania
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Bitongo is an artist whose dream was to live in Europe. When he left the Democratic Republic of the Congo, he was determined and full of hope. I heard so many stories about Europe, friends who made it and now have a decent life that I wanted a new life in El Dorado too. So I left my country. I knew the journey would not be easy but I was ready to handle it no matter what. In 2011, I went to Mauritania on a regular visa hoping to make it to Europe ultimately. It is then that my new life started to take shape. I had the chance to meet a local painter and I finally discovered my talent and myself. In 2013, after a first successful exhibition, Bitongo decided to try to immigrate to Morocco. I bought a flight ticket to Casablanca, without any visa. As soon as I landed, I was sent back to Mauritania. After five failed attempts, tired of all the negativity and lies, I decided to start a new life in Mauritania. As I was talented, my friend welcomed me again in his atelier and helped me find a job as an art teacher in a local school. In Africa, there are many young people who have talent, but we live in countries where there is no possibility to develop a dream, an idea. So we are forced to migrate to developed countries to have a chance to become successful. I was so obsessed with going to Europe that I was wasting my youth and my creativity for nothing. With all I went through, I realized that my talent would take me everywhere. Young people! Don't risk your life trying to reach Europe irregularly. Build up your life through your talent.

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