“Having a future depends on the environment you grow up in”

Mali – Today, Issa* is thinking about his future.

He is learning to work, earn a living and, above all, regain trust in himself and others. This new beginning stands in sharp contrast to the years of uncertainty that marked his adolescence.

A few years earlier, Issa was attending a Quranic school. Like other children in his group, he lived under the care of a Quranic teacher and regularly moved from one community to another.

In 2022, when he was 13 years old, his life changed dramatically.

Lured by promises of paid work and significant earnings, Issa and other adolescents were taken far from their familiar surroundings. They eventually found themselves under the influence of an armed group.

Over time, the children were exposed to messages aimed at persuading them to join the group and were subjected to physical training. Issa says he did not take a direct part in the fighting but was required to carry out various tasks for the group.

For several years, his daily life was marked by frequent displacement and uncertainty.

A chance to leave

In 2025, following a military operation, the group with which Issa was associated scattered. Several of its members lost their lives, were captured or became separated from one another.

Amid the confusion, Issa was able to get away.

After moving from place to place, he ended up in another town about a hundred kilometers away. There, his life began to take a new direction.

Through community-based child protection mechanisms, Issa was identified as a child in need of specialized protection and support. He was referred to services tailored to his situation.

It was the beginning of a long journey towards recovery.

Regaining trust

Issa was first placed with a foster family, where he found a more stable and protective environment.

Through a UNICEF-supported programme funded by the Government of the United States, Issa also received psychosocial support. This assistance is gradually helping him cope with what he has been through, regain self-confidence and reconnect with others.

But rebuilding one’s life also means being able to look towards the future.

Issa was therefore supported in establishing an income-generating activity. This opportunity is gradually enabling him to develop new skills, regain his place within the community and look to the future with independence.

Little by little, the changes became visible. His relationships with his family, peers and community members improved. The trust that had long been damaged is gradually returning.

Looking back, Issa now sees his journey differently and has a new understanding of what a child needs to grow and build a life.

“Today, I realize that having a future depends on the environment you grow up in,” says Issa.

His words highlight an essential truth - when a child grows up in a safe, protective and caring environment, surrounded by supportive adults and a safe community, they are better equipped to learn, make their own choices and build their future.

*Name changed to protect the child’s identity and safety.

Disclaimer: This story is based on the child’s testimony, which was collected as part of child protection services. The facts reported reflect the child’s personal experience and do not constitute an independent verification of the events by UNICEF.