18-year old Ibrahim is in form 4 of junior secondary school in Lomé. Born into a poor polygamous family, he stated: “My mother disappeared when I was 4 years old and since that time I haven’t seen her again. My father is alive but does not care for me. I live with my grandmother – mother of my mother.”
 
Ibrahim made this statement during a camp for young people in the reintegration phase, post their prison service. Lacking parental care and role-models, he said that he developed “deviating behaviour”. He would go out at night, refusing to attend classes at school during the day. As a juvenile, he was arrested because he committed sodomy on another minor.
 
During his stay in Brigade pour Mineurs in Lomé, he met the psychologist of the YMCA and received support from him. “Through the intervention of the YMCA, I got rid of bad friends and don’t go out in the night. Now I don’t get ashamed of myself any more, even at school. The YMCA paid my school fees and stationery. This year I was the best student in my class.” His grandmother is very proud of him because he is a regular student. Before he met the YMCA, Ibrahim did not have a birth certificate. Through the project, he now has one.