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Fanta Diallo: Role model for young Senegalese

Stefan MöhlJuly 16, 2015

At a time when thousands of African migrants risk their lives to migrate to Europe, a deputy mayor in the Senegalese capital Dakar is working with young people to convince them to stay and help their own country grow.

https://p.dw.com/p/1FvGB
Fanta Diallo
Image: DW/S. Möhl

Fanta Diallo: Role model for young Senegalese

Every month hundreds of young, educated Senegalese are leaving their country for Europe. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), during the first three months of this year, 1,200 Senegalse were among the refugees who made the dangerous journey to the Italian coast.

Fanta Diallo is a proud African and Senegalese patriot. She is the founder of a project called "À la Une" (on the frontline) to push back against the idea that migrating to Europe is the only option for young people looking for work. She believes that the exodus of young, motivated people to Europe is a problem for her city and Senegal in general.

As an example of someone who has accomplished a lot in her home country, Fanta started to visit schools and universities to spread her message and to mentor fellow Senegalese to succeed at school, in business and in life.