The West is the Best

Ugandan youth is divers, but they share one interest: the desire to go to the West. When I did my research on Internet usage in Internet cafés in Kampala I noticed that one of the main activities is seeking and creating opportunities to go to the West. Applying for scholarships, looking for sponsors and collecting pen pals are integrated into the daily activities of the online youth. Local websites show ads of scholarships or greencard applications and there are posters spread throughout the streets saying: ‘looking for pen pal or American sponsor? Call this number!’

Fact is that much of these ads are made by so called conmen. The youngsters, desperate to live their dream in the US or Europe, are so eager that they are willing to spend all their money on such ‘chances’.