Stories from Togo – Supporting young people in prison

Supporting young people trapped in Togo prison system

Kossi found himself in trouble through nothing more than teenage naivety. Here’s his story in his words.

One morning when I was going to work, I found a SIM card on the ground. So I put it in my phone and started using it. Then after that someone called me and asked me ‘who are you? Where did you find this SIM card?’ The police came to arrest me later that day.

It was difficult and painful because I didn’t steal anything but was ‘caught’ because of the evidence of the SIM card. Eventually though, after many court appearances, thanks to the YMCA, they said I could go home. The YMCA used to come to prison and give us advice.

They showed us the right way after prison; how to have a vision, to be someone and have a better future. Now after they paid for my welding training, I’m working for myself. I hope I can open my own business, support my family, and train other young people

Kossi found justice thanks to the tireless efforts of the legal clubs you helped to set up in Lomé prison and the unstinting support of his mother.

Please do support our Christmas Appeal and help us to get One Million Young People out of Poverty and into work.