Overcoming Adversity: Sosa’s Journey from Childhood Exploitation to Empowerment

In this powerful episode of the Able to Care podcast, hosts Andy Baker and Nadine Sutton welcome Sosa Henkoma, a survivor and a beacon of resilience who shares his profound journey from the streets of Nigeria to the challenges he faced in the UK. A keynote speaker featured in The Guardian, Sosa dives deep into the cultural shocks, personal losses, and his battle against exploitation that shaped his life. His story is not just about survival but about transforming suffering into awareness and empowerment for the community.

Sosa Henkoma is a survivor of child criminal exploitation in the UK. Forced into a gang at a young age, he experienced violence and hardship. Despite this, Sosa escaped that life and now works to help others. He uses his experiences to raise awareness about modern slavery and advocates for vulnerable youth. Sosa is a consultant for organisations like Youth Unity and the Human Trafficking Foundation.

Key Moments:

• 00:00:21 - Introduction of Sosa and his background.
• 00:01:46 - Sosa's early life in Nigeria and the cultural shock of moving to the UK.
• 00:03:15 - Discussion on the familial and societal challenges Sosa faced upon relocating.
• 00:04:05 - Sosa describes the breakdown of family relationships and subsequent abuse.
• 00:09:27 - Sosa's experience with foster care and encountering a new, but challenging, family dynamic.
• 00:14:05 - Insights into Sosa's struggle with identity and belonging in his new environments.
• 00:19:23 - Sosa's journey into public speaking and advocacy work.
• 00:26:09 - The pivotal role of understanding one’s past to shape a better future.
• 00:32:14 - The importance of immediate needs and how they can lead to manipulation or support.
• 00:39:32 - Sosa reflects on the long-term impacts of his experiences and the importance of trust and connection.

Key Messages:

• Awareness and education are crucial in changing perspectives about child exploitation and recovery.
• Understanding and addressing immediate needs can lead to either manipulation or genuine support, impacting long-term outcomes.
• The importance of supportive relationships and trust in overcoming adverse childhood experiences.
• How personal history and experiences shape one's actions and decisions in adulthood.

Join us for this profound conversation that not only sheds light on the struggles many face but also highlights the strength and resilience possible in the face of adversity. Be sure to engage with Sosa's work through the links provided in our podcast description to learn more and support his mission.

Find Sosa on Instagram @sosa_est or LinkedIn sosa-henkoma-a99514251

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Exploitation, criminal exploitation, CCE, trafficking, modern slavery, care, looked after children, foster care.