Abukar Awale came to the UK, from Somalia, in 1997 as a young man full of energy wanting to learn and earn. He was looking forward to a bright new life, but these hopes were dashed when he associated himself with the wrong people. Abukar frequented a place where people took a drug called Khat, which is legal in the UK and socially acceptable in Somalia. He became addicted to Khat, taking it for seven years, and lost his confidence, his self-esteem and most of all, his family. He was depressed, paranoid and at a stage where he could not see any light at the end of the tunnel; he also found himself on the wrong side of the law.
Abukar came to LEAP in August 2005 and began LEAP’s three-week STRIVE Workshop. Abukar recalls an incident where he told a LEAP staff member that though he knew LEAP were trying to help him, he was beyond repair. The staff member responded by stating that that was not true and he could change his life if he made the choice to. Abukar made the choice to stop taking Khat while he was on the programme.
He described the training as the most useful three weeks of his life and he learned how to take control of a life that had spun out of control. Nine days after completing STRIVE, Abukar got a job as a Teaching Assistant. His family life improved and he enjoyed becoming a respected member of the community. Another thing he had learnt at LEAP was to how set goals. One such goal was to go back to Somalia and visit his parents, something that he had always thought of doing, but had not done so because of the state of his life. After completing the course at LEAP and getting a job, Abukar saved and planned, and in 2006 returned to Somalia to visit his family.
Abukar has gone from strength to strength and is now a Community Engagement Officer for a community college, where his responsibilities include targeting hard to reach groups and absent fathers. He works with the parents to raise the aspirations and achievement of their children. He is also the Ambassador in Brent for the London Somali Youth Forum and strives to remove barriers which will enable the integration of his community. He is a volunteer at a local Youth Offending Team and a member of their panel which advises and mentors young people.
Abukar says: “LEAP has totally changed my life!! My wife is happier then ever and my children are doing better in school. My whole life is better. Many thanks to LEAP.”
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