“You can only allow yourself to be black if you are a football or basketball player.”

Malick Gueyen came to Gran Canaria without papers. The beginning was difficult especially because of the language. Today he told the pupils of IES Tamogante that he is a member of the initiative “Manteros”, an activity the refugees take part in to survive.

“Manteros” or street sellers offer their handmade goods for sale on a “manta” (blanket). It is illegal and therefore they pack up their things in the blanket and flee when the police come.

He described the discrimination and injustice against his fellow men.

“We all want a worthy life but they make a crime of what people are forced to do because of poverty… In Senegal an activity you do if there is no other possibility is not criminal. We all want a worthy life.”