Success StoriesPoacher turned gamekeeper

Abukar Awale arrived at LEAP’s STRIVE Workshop in 2005, wearing an electronic tag. Abukar’s progress since then has been exceptional and we at LEAP are incredibly proud of what he continues to achieve. He really is an example to all. This is his compelling story in his own words:

“I came to the UK in 1997 as young man full of energy wanting to learn and earn. I was very happy when I got here, as it was going to be the beginning of a new life. I was so excited. I started to seek advice how to get by, but unfortunately I sought help and advice from wrong place and wrong people. There was a place where people take a drug called khat which is socially acceptable where I originally came from (Somalia). I didn’t know at the time how harmful this drug was until it was almost too late.

I was addicted to khat for seven years. I lost my self confidence, my self esteem and most of my family. I found myself on the wrong side of the law, I became careless, I didn’t have respect for anyone, I was depressed and I was paranoid. I was at a stage where I couldn’t see any light at the end of the tunnel.

I came to LEAP in August 2005, and that was a good day for me. I began three weeks of training, the most useful three weeks of my life. I remember saying to a member of staff, ‘I know you are trying to help me but maybe I am beyond repair’ and I was told there is room for improvement for everyone. That was right - when I came to LEAP I stopped taking the drug.

From LEAP I have learned how to take control of my life. I learned how set goals for myself: the goal I set was to go back and see my Mum and Dad in Somalia. That was something I had always thought of doing, but after LEAP I was not only thinking, I was doing something about it. I saved and planned, and it happened 2006. I was very happy to see my family and of course they were very happy to see me.