I Want To Be A Footballer.
Our team arrives to Prosper’s home for our first visit. At the age of 18, Prosper now lives by himself with family nearby who have been very supportive of him and his education. Prosper was in our second rescue village of Sabonjeda in 2014. He was 12 when the village released him and other trafficked children to Mercy Project care.
After rescue, Prosper took his educational opportunities seriously; the transition was not easy, but he continued showing up to classes and eventually caught up in his schooling. He has now advanced successfully to the Senior High School (SHS) level and looks forward to continuing his education this next school term.
Prosper invites us into the front space of his humble home, proud to show us how far he’s come and speak to us of his future plans. We sit on small wooden benches with a phone recorder in the middle and begin speaking. While Prosper speaks excellent English, his Social Worker, Portia, translates a time or two.
In the village, what did you want to be when you grew up? What did you dream about… maybe you’re sitting at the riverside thinking, this is my idea for my life.
I want to be a footballer.
A footballer. Why?
Because I am very good at it.
Ok, because you’re good at football. Now that you have grown, and you are in SHS, what do you want to do? With your life?
I still want to be a footballer.
Do you think it’s possible?
Yes.
Your family, Portia, and before Portia, Sister Winifred [social workers]… how have they helped you?
They’ve helped me well. If I need something, they’ll help me get it.
What is your favorite class at school?
Social Studies and ICT, computer class.
Who in your life has encouraged you to keep trying?
My mother.
Where will you be going to SHS?
[Portia translating] ———- Senior High, about 40 km from here
What is the thing you liked best at Junior High School [JHS]?
My ICT teacher, Mr. Owusu.
Do you have friends going to the same SHS, do you know some people?
Yes. Another boy, Roxan. And Louis [another Mercy Project child] in SHS 2.
So I think Louis will help you to keep you doing your school. You can study together.
[laughs, nodding]
If we can ask questions from a long time ago when you were staying at Sabonjeda... When we came to Sabonjeda, what did you think? Do you remember?
No, I don’t remember.
When you left Sabonjeda, do you remember we took you to ———- [rehabilitation shelter]?
Yes.
What did you think or were you feeling any way?
I felt really well. I felt happy.
Do you remember why?
The place was nice. I was happy to leave the village and be able to learn. Studying was nice.
You were happy to learn?
Yeah.
And when you were in Sabonjeda, you were just fishing?
Yeah.
So now, when you see other kids and you see they are fishing on the lake, what do you think?
I think, some years ago…
[Portia] Every time he sees them on the lake, it takes him back to the time he was also fishing on the lake. He remembers. He has the memory of him also being there but right now he is no longer there. So he is always remembering.
If you see them [children working], are you wishing anything for them?
I wish that they could come to school, to stop doing that and come to school.
“I was happy to leave the village and be able to learn. Studying was nice.”