Gambian teenager Gibbi Jallow, then 14, survived a five-day pirogue journey from Senegal to the Canary Islands, arriving in El Hierro. The arduous crossing, undertaken in a small, open fishing boat known as a pirogue, marked the beginning of Jallow's experience as a migrant. The journey itself was fraught with danger, a common characteristic of such sea voyages across the Atlantic.
The Journey and Its Aftermath
Weeks after Gibbi Jallow arrived in the Canary Islands, a tragic accident occurred. A powerful wave broke his neck against the sand on a beach in Fuerteventura, rendering him tetraplegic. The accident occurred following his initial journey from Senegal and his subsequent transfer to Fuerteventura. At the time, Jallow was playing on the beach with other minors from the reception center where he was staying. This life-altering incident happened unexpectedly, transforming his nascent life in Europe. Jallow, then a teenager, subsequently spent two years hospitalized at the Insular Hospital of Gran Canaria, undergoing extensive medical care and beginning his long recovery process. His recovery and adaptation to life after the accident became a significant and challenging part of his experience in the archipelago.
A Story of Resilience and Tragedy
Gibbi Jallow's poignant story is chronicled in the book ‘Waves like Mountains’, authored by Spanish journalist Loreto Gutiérrez Prats. Gutiérrez Prats stated, "It was clear to me that it was a story that deserved to be told and that it had to be told." The narrative details Jallow's harrowing experiences, including the perilous migration journey from Senegal and the devastating accident that led to his tetraplegia. The book's title, ‘Waves like Mountains’, originated directly from Gibbi Jallow’s own powerful descriptions of the immense sea walls and formidable waves he encountered during his five-day crossing. This vivid imagery shows the extreme conditions faced by migrants on this route. Jallow currently resides at the Ciudad San Juan de Dios full care center for people with special needs in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. This center provides ongoing support and specialized care for his condition, allowing him to navigate the complexities of his daily life.
Broader Migratory Context
Spanish journalist Loreto Gutiérrez Prats started researching 30 years of the Canary migratory route for the project, providing key broader context to Jallow's individual experience. Her extensive investigation delved into the historical patterns and human stories behind this significant migration corridor. The migratory route to the Canary Islands has seen a significant increase in recent times, with more than 43,000 people arriving in the archipelago during the 2024 crisis alone. This staggering influx shows the ongoing challenges faced by migrants attempting to reach European shores, often fleeing conflict, poverty, and instability in their home countries. The journey, often undertaken in precarious vessels, remains one of the most dangerous migratory paths in the world.
Voices of Experience
The book was presented Monday at Casa África in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, an institution dedicated to fostering relations between Africa and the Canary Islands. Journalist Loreto Gutiérrez Prats’ research for the project also examined the history of the Canary migratory route in depth, noting that the first boat to arrive in Fuerteventura did so in 1994. This historical context provides a broader understanding of the long-standing migratory pressures on the islands, noting that while the numbers fluctuate, the route has been active for decades. By intertwining this historical perspective with Jallow’s deeply personal narrative, ‘Waves like Mountains’ offers a full and human-centered look at one of Europe's most challenging migration phenomena.