A young man who arrived alone in England as a 16-year-old asylum speaker unable to speak English has, just a few years later, won a national award for his educational achievements.
Yacouba Traore, from Stockton, was presented with the Fostering Achievement for Education Award at The Fostering Network’s annual Fostering Excellence Awards in London. Yacouba, now a student at Teeside University, arrived in the UK as an unaccompanied minor following the murder of his parents who were political activists in the Ivory Coast.
Yacouba Traore
Yacouba Traore
Traumatised, alone, disorientated, and unable to speak English, he first had to convince the authorities that he was really 16, before being able to get his life back on track. After moving in with his foster family, Yacouba learnt English, which was his third fluent language, became a member of his local children in care council, and studied his way towards university, where he is currently undertaking a degree in information technology.
Kevin Williams, chief executive of The Fostering Network, said: ‘We are delighted that Yacouba is one of this year’s Fostering Achievement in Education winners. He has overcome so much to get where he is today, and is a real inspiration to others. As well as working hard on his academic achievements, he always makes time to give back to the community. From being a peer mentor for younger children, to an active participant in The Fostering Network’s Inspiring Voices programme, there isn’t much that this outstanding young man won’t do to help others.
‘Yacouba’s story also illustrates the importance of finding the right foster family for young asylum seekers who turn up alone in the UK, and who need stability, commitment and skilled help to overcome their traumatic experiences.’
Yacouba said: 'My foster carers took me into their home and they treat me like one of their own children. They were always there to support me when I was finding things difficult. They went above and beyond their remit to give me the emotional stability and support I so badly needed. Through their support and encouragement, I have progressed from being unable to speak English, to study for my computing course at Teesside University.'
‘There have been supportive and encouraging people in my life and I would like to thank them all. Everyone from friends and family to social services; my children’s rights and participation officer, my grandmother, my interpreter, The Fostering Network, Stockton Riverside College and Teesside University.’
Yacouba’s foster carers, Maureen and Ian said: ‘To have seen Yacouba thrive and develop is just wonderful. The time and emotional support invested since he first came to us have been so worthwhile. Now, he’s already making such a success of his life. We’re extremely proud of him. The sense of achievement is enormous.’
The Fostering Excellence Awards, supported by bed specialists Dreams, are the UK's leading foster care awards, and celebrate excellence and outstanding achievement in fostering. Fostering Achievement for Education awards, supported by The Tunstall Jubilee Foundation, are also being presented to two other care experienced young people who have overcome the odds to succeed in life and education. Awards are also given to foster carers, their sons and daughters and social workers for their outstanding contributions to foster care, supported by Endsleigh Insurance, Towergate and Partnership in Children’s Services.
There are 64,000 children living with 55,000 foster families on any one day in the UK. For some children, living with a foster carer will be their first positive experience of family life. Another 9,070 families are needed this year alone, particularly to offer homes to teenagers including young mothers and their babies, disabled children, sibling groups and unaccompanied asylum seekers. To find out more about the skills needed to foster, and the process of becoming a foster carer, visit thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/couldyoufoster