Our fresh start ceremony was a day to remember. Two of our youth graduated. Nine have decided, “We are no longer street children.” And Rebecca — once on the streets herself — now has a hair studio where she works and trains other girls to dream of safety and life beyond the streets.
For over a decade, Future of Africa has given street children and youth countless second chances; reuniting families, opening doors to skills training leading to employment, and inspiring privileged youth to walk alongside them in meaningful ways. In August we hosted our Fresh Start Ceremony and it was one of those days that reminded us why we do this work.
This event marked exciting new beginnings of youth who once spent years on the street without hope and purpose. It was filled with so much pride and joy as we celebrated nine young girls and boys officially joining FOA’s Youth Wellbeing and Development Program. Each of them stood up to declare that they are no longer street children—that they now belong to a community that invests in their future.
We also celebrated a huge moment for Rebecca Kpeto Oduro and Isaac Andoh, the first of our residents to graduate and move into independence. Their journeys are proof that change is possible when young people are given the chance to heal, learn, and grow.
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Today we are saying that our past will not define us, we are much more than the struggles we faced. We are youth with dreams, talents and bright futures.
The day began with something really special. Youth who are still living on the streets shared their talents—drumming, dancing, painting, and sculpting. For the past few months, they’ve been part of our Wellness Wednesday program, and seeing their performances and artwork reminded us just how much joy and healing creativity can bring. They gave their all with the hope that they too can be taken off the streets one day.
After their lively performance, Our Youth Wellbeing and Development Manager, Nicholas, took a moment to reflect on FOA’s journey with street youth over the past ten years. Nicholas has been part of this story since 2016, back when he was a volunteer and all we could do was share food and spend hours playing with the kids at street intersections. Seeing him now speak as a leader in an organization that has grown from a small campus club into a place with real facilities and programs was powerful. Today FOA is helping street youth leave the streets behind, pursue education or vocational training, and find the support they need to work, live independently, and give back to their communities.
We then witnessed one of the most moving parts of the day—the official induction of our new residents. Vivian, one of the newest recruits, shared her story. She talked about the relief of finally being off the street, her determination to succeed, and her dream to one day support her mother, who still lives in deep poverty. Her words summed up everything FOA stands for—restoring dignity, rebuilding hope, and opening doors so that young people can thrive.
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I am so proud to see how far I have come to achieve my dreams
The day grew even more emotional as we celebrated the powerful transformations of our graduates. From once living on the streets to now gaining skills that allow them to work, earn, and live on their own—these stories were nothing short of inspiring. For Rebecca, the dream of becoming a hairstylist has not only come true, but she has stepped into the role of a trainer, helping other young girls learn hairdressing and create opportunities for themselves.
Our founder and president also reflected on the last decade, giving a heartfelt speech on how deeply he is tied to this vision. He recalled a night spent on the streets years ago with Isaac—who was then homeless. Today, Isaac is creating his own line of bags and stepping forward with the confidence of an entrepreneur. FOA Ghana’s Board Secretary also shared her pride in seeing both Rebecca and Isaac graduate, while encouraging our new residents to stay disciplined and committed so they too can reach their goals.
We were also honored by the words of a representative from the Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment, who reaffirmed the government’s support for organizations like FOA that are building brighter futures for vulnerable young people. The day ended on a high note with the launch of the Norviwo Natural Hair Studio, a brand-new training space for barbering and hairdressing. This milestone, made possible through the support of Standard Chartered Bank, will give young girls the chance to gain practical skills and create income opportunities. The CEO of Standard Chartered Bank, Mansa Nettey, shared her excitement about partnering with FOA and expressed hope for future collaborations that will touch even more lives.
