2016
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Named person(s)
Joel's real name is Issaka Sore
Date photo taken
23 February 2016
Country of origin
Burkina Faso
Region
Africa
Photo credit
James Souder
Themes
Education and training
Description
Caption for media: Joel Saaga manages a hardware store in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, after finishing his prison sentence with MCC’s restorative justice partner Lieux de Vie. Through the residential program, Saaga learned carpentry skills and restored relationships with his family. (Joel Saaga’s real name is not used to protect his privacy.)(MCC Photo/James Souder)
Extra information:
Joel Saaga* is a graduate of MCC's restorative justice partner Lieux de Vie, which supports current and formerly imprisoned youth through social programs and apprenticeships in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. He had an apprenticeship with a carpenter for three months, and now he works at a hardware store. (MCC Photo/James Souder)
*Name changed for privacy reasons.
More information:
In Burkina Faso, young non-violent offenders like Joel can face up to several years in prison for petty crimes like stealing a bike. Their incarceration strips them of the opportunity to continue school and reduces their likelihood of finding a job. Fortunately, three months into his sentence Joel heard about Lieux de Vie (Places of Life), an innovative program that uses restorative justice principles to provide apprenticeship opportunities to non-violent offenders, allowing them to gain trade skills and training them to become productive members of society. With approval from the prison’s judicial council, Joel spent the second half of his prison sentence working with a carpenter while living at Lieux de Vie facilities. After finishing his apprenticeship, Joel was faced with a decision: Would he return to his previous habits, or move forward by making an honest living? With encouragement from Lieux de Vie, Joel found a job at a hardware store delivering construction materials. After a year of manual labor, Joel was promoted to manage the shop and sell items to customers. Someday he hopes to open his own store and dreams of visiting the United States.