Josephine's Story

Josephine Agbi, Accra, Ghana

"When I was young, I was left with no parents to care for me. I stayed with my Auntie - but she mistreated me until I could not stand it any more. I left her home and came to Accra, where I stayed with a friend at KonKomba (a shanty town), The only work we could get was 'kaya yoo' (carrying heavy loads for money).

In KonKomba you are surrounded by violence, prostitution and armed robbery. Because of this, I ended up getting pregnant by an irresponsible man, who left when he found out I was pregnant. I was barely surviving and heavily pregnant when I met a fieldworker from Street Girls Aid, who took me to their refuge. There, they supported me with accommodation, food and shelter before and after the birth of my baby boy.

I returned to my village (Todome) until my baby was fully weaned, and when I decided I would like to return to Accra, Street Girls Aid offered me sponsorship so that I could learn a trade and support my baby. After three years of training, I became a qualified seamstress. Now, I work at Catholic Action for Street Children, where I help train young children who are in the same position as I was."