Barça ou Barzakh

Zakaria’s Story: Between Books and Bureaucracy

Zakaria is a sharp, resourceful student trapped in the wreckage of underfunded Senegalese universities and a visa system designed to exclude. His hustle isn’t just survival—it’s resistance. His quiet but cutting reflections expose the violence of a world that keeps promising futures it will never deliver. Yet Zakaria is not trying to flee: he demands dignity and the right to be seen, to stay, to move, to thrive.

Handling a GoPro and setting the pace of his own desire to move, Zakaria guided Cosmin through the narrow alleys of the Medina and into his side hustle—selling football jerseys to kids. He also led him to Campus France, exposing the arbitrary processes through which student visas are granted. Filming was not allowed—security cameras and officials made sure of that. But that very refusal became the point: Campus France’s inaccessibility stands as a stark metaphor for the broader opacity of the bureaucratic system operating behind its closed doors.

More from Barça ou Barzakh

Unlock exclusive behind-the-scenes stories from Zakaria’s journey.

Step beyond the main narrative with exclusive content available only to supporters. In this members-only section, follow Zakaria on a vivid detour through Dakar’s legendary Sandaga Market — a sprawling, chaotic maze where street vendors and traders animate the city’s informal economy.

We join him as he searches for football jerseys to resell in his hometown of Bakel, near the Malian border — a side hustle that reflects not only economic necessity but also the entrepreneurial drive that threads through his everyday life. The footage captures his eye for detail, his quiet negotiations, and the rhythm of a market alive with possibility.

These behind-the-scenes glimpses offer a deeper look at the ingenuity and resilience behind Zakaria’s hustle — and expand the lens on what it means to move, wait, and create a future in motion.

Additional photos and video shorts also include visits to other markets in Dakar, such as the Village Artisanal de Soumbédioune. This vibrant hub of Senegalese craftsmanship brings together artisans specializing in woodcarving, leatherwork, jewelry, and textiles. In these scenes, we meet returning migrants who have set up small businesses there, blending traditional skills with new aspirations.