Editor,

I am really saddened to hear of the loss of few Gambian youths on the Libyan seas. My condolences go to the families of these young men.

Having been living and working in the UK for almost 10 years, I know that life in Europe is very hard and challenging. In fact, as I write this letter, I am at work and would have been here for the last twelve hours by the time you get it. There is not an easy life here at all and everyone is just working to survive; in order to meet their bills. You ask yourself many times, I work and work but all I gain is nothing, because the tax is so much and the bills so high.

Europe has been hit by the credit crunch big time, so there are big job losses everywhere. Those of us who still have jobs are happy to keep them. Another point is that it must be hard to live in Europe illegally, because you can't go out of the country you are residing. It is hard to get jobs also when you are an illegal immigrant.

Please, transmit this message to all Gambian youths that Europe is not Paradise. So let them not risk their lives coming here.

akunajalo@yahoo.co.uk