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The 'metal bird' that sparked a dream

Growing up in a village in Ghana, Ousman Umar was fascinated when he saw an aeroplane. He was told it was a 'metal bird' made by white people. That sighting would change his life.

When Ousman was a small boy in a village in Ghana, he was fascinated by his first sight of an aeroplane. Village elders told him it was a metal bird made by white people. That sparked a dream – to travel to meet the people who could design and enjoy such things. His dream would take him first to the Ghanaian capital Accra and then on a perilous journey towards Europe that would change him forever.

Ousman Umar's book about his journey is called North to Paradise. His NGO is called NASCO Feeding Minds.

Get in touch: outlook@bbc.com

Presenter: Jo Fidgen
Producer: Katy Takatsuki

(Photo: Ousman Umar. Credit: Santi G. Barros)

Available now

41 minutes

Last on

Wed 6 Jul 2022 02:06GMT

Broadcasts

  • Tue 5 Jul 2022 11:06GMT
  • Tue 5 Jul 2022 17:06GMT
  • Tue 5 Jul 2022 21:06GMT
  • Wed 6 Jul 2022 02:06GMT

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