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Emmanuel Akpama
This is my story.

Emmanuel was born in a small village called Tokor in the Volta Region. His mother is a traditional herbalist so her attention is focused on her traditional principles and performances. As a result, she did not pay much attention to Emmanuel’s welfare. Emmanuel was 4 years old when his father, who was a carpenter, fell from a rooftop and broke his hip. Due to the accident, he could not work to take care of Emmanuel, his mother, and his sister. The mother left his father to remarry another man. His stepfather then gave him to a fisherman man who took Emmanuel to the lake at Yeji.

Young Emmanuel started working on the lake at the age of 10 years and worked for 6 years. He used to cast fishing nets into the river, paddle canoes from long to short distances, and also harvest nets into the canoe. Sometimes, he dives into the river to untangle fishing nets. Emmanuel suffered sicknesses with no medications. He said "I sometimes suffered from malaria due to several mosquito bites".  He also suffers from bilharzia, skin diseases, eye problems, etc. He was later diagnosed with an elephantiasis infection in his right leg and was treated with herbs and a black magic powder by his mother which worsened his health situation.

During one of the rescue missions led by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and Mr. Evan Robbins in 2014, Emmanuel was rescued and reintegrated with his mother. Emmanuel was placed in a basic School but could not continue due to the infection in his leg. Breaking The Chain intervened by sending Emmanuel to the hospital for proper medical treatment. BTC committed a lot of financial resources to restore his health. Due to the severity of the elephantiasis infection, to save Emmanuel’s life, doctors advised an amputation to be carried on the infected leg. Emmanuel successfully underwent the amputation. Emmanuel’s amputated leg now is fully healed and has been given a prosthetic leg to support his movement. He said “I would have been dead without BTC’s intervention.’’

Emmanuel has been enrolled in tailoring and he is currently in the second year of his apprenticeship and doing very well. He is fully supported by Breaking The Chain. BTC also rented him an apartment to shorten his walking distance to his place of work. He receives monthly stipends, medicals, tuition, etc.

Recently, Emmanuel mentioned to the BTC team that, he is more happy to live a day under BTC’s care than to stay a hundred years with his family. Emmanuel is grateful to everyone who supported Breaking The Chain to give him a better life, a career, and a road to self-reliance.

U.S.

Evan Robbins

38 Marion Road

Verona, New Jersey 07044

 

Mobile: (732) 221-8745

Email: erobbins@btcte.org

Ghana

Dickson Korleh

Digital Address: VU-0050-470

Location: Sogakope, Ernesco Junction

​

Tel: +233558234142

Email: dkorleh@btcte.org

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