3.
Security in Libya was risky for migrants, with kidnapping of migrants for ransom pay-outs (very common), violent attacks and the need to form alliances with migrants from other countries. For example, in January 2020, less than a month since the younger brother of Interviewee 38’s friend was kidnapped, XOF 1,500,000 had to be mobilised for his release. INT 38 recalls: ‘Before, in Libya we used to be able to earn money and cope with the needs; but now migrants go there just so they don't stay here and do nothing. This migration is simply more than unemployment, but it carries
4.
enormous risks.’ His parents were poor. On his return from Libya, Interviewee 38 was surprised to find that
everything he had sent as a start-up fund for the business had been used for other purposes (e.g. family reproductive costs). ‘When I was there, I sent money to my parents for their own needs and
to buy me goods to use when I return home’. Unfortunately, what he sent as capital upon his return was wasted and he found nothing when he returned home. This has contributed to his pessimism to the point where he was overcome by despair.
4.2. (Sustained) poverty escapes Having analysed some systemic and structural constraints, we next seek to uncover how some youth managed to escape poverty. Youth who had escaped poverty recently, or managed to sustain a poverty escape, often did so through a combination of resilience
capacities underpinned by skills acquired through education or other forms of vocation-
based learning. They typically built on learning (some formal, but also Quranic, vocational skills from training and apprenticeships mentorships, or observing others) to secure
livelihoods or social status that maintained or improved their wellbeing amidst difficult contexts and vulnerabilities. These combinations are discussed below.
4.2.1. Education and continued learning for livelihood improvements Education is the first step that allows individuals to secure livelihoods or social status that maintain or improve their wellbeing. Some manage to escape poverty through state and
Quranic education. Though Interviewee 44 (Escape, Karakara) escaped poverty via
substantial investments in state education, what is interesting is how hard he still has to work
in many different jobs in order to keep his income above the poverty line in the absence of a full-time job – something this level of education would have led to under earlier administrations (Figure 14). He retains his position by volunteering and networking to find
part-time random contracts, and is considering teaching as well. It is notable that he has to
pay for rented accommodation and may not be able to afford a wife and family at this stage.
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