I have been supporting him for a long time – first as a boy, then as a teenager, and now as a young man – throughout his primary and secondary education. The reason for this is by no means that he wasn’t keen to learn, but rather that primary and secondary education isn’t free in every country. There have been times when the young man has been unable to attend school because my small disability pension has not been enough to cover the fees, and the headteacher would no longer allow Emmanuel to study due to outstanding payments. However, this has not slowed Emmanuel down; instead, he has studied independently, and now all this has finally paid off as he graduated from primary school this summer.

But now I would like to make his dream come true and bring him to Finland to study at a sixth form college. Because he has earned his dream. And this is where I really, really need help. A passport, a visa, flights, school fees here. It all costs money.

When a teenager really wants to study and build a better life for themselves, I believe that should be made possible. And that is what I am striving for, whether I get help from others or not. My way of life is to help children and young people take even a small step forward towards achieving their dreams.