Yonni - A story of determination.

Imagine wanting an education this much. 

Yonni grew up without the care and protection every child deserves. With parents struggling with drug addiction and unable to look after him, he was taken in by another couple — but instead of safety, he was forced to become a drug mule.

Desperate to escape and determined to have a different future, Yonni ran away. For six weeks, he lived in the forest, hiding not just to survive, but because he wanted one thing more than anything else: to go to school. 

When Yonni finally began attending school, his teachers quickly realised something wasn't right. They stepped in and allowed him to stay in the school's residential block, giving him a safe place to sleep and the chance to keep learning. 

HANDS is supporting Yonni with extra personal costs, and despite everything he's been through, he works at weekends and during school holidays to help support himself. This is what determination looks like. This is what hope looks like. Imagine wanting to go to school in this way.