According to The International Organization of Migration (IOM), over five thousand migrants lost their lives in 2014 and 2015 making the treacherous journey across the Mediterranean from Libya to start a new life in Europe. This journey which spans from The Gambia (different starting points but this story is being explored from The Gambia as a starting point) across several African nations and finally through Libya and across the Mediterranean to Italy is commonly known in The Gambia as the "Back Way". Italy is usually not the final destination but serves as a way point to other European destinations for most of the "Back Wayers".
The purpose of this book is to give the reader an understanding of the current migrant crisis; the worst since world war II. The true story is that of a young man named Omar from The Gambia who decided to embark on this "Back Way" journey to Europe in search of greener pastures.