In Guinea young boys dream of the biggest adventure. An adventure that will give them a heroic feeling, make them a man, and make their family proud. This adventure, or "tounkan" in the local Malinké language, is an illegal migration route to Europe.
Young boys leave their parents' house to find themselves alone, overcoming many hardships and even risking death in search of a better life in Europe. It's the ultimate way for a boy to become a man. If they survive the journey, they become a hero or "tounkan namo" for their family.
This episode of Cry Like a Boy tells the story of Mamadou who was forced to return home from his 'tounkan' and faced anger from family and friends.