Meet Juliet Odofelikor Nuertey, a resilient 19-year-old who has faced more challenges than her years might suggest. She recalls her earlier belief that she was 21, only to discover that she’s 19 thanks to her elder sister’s clarification. However, Juliet’s struggle with age-related misunderstandings was just a glimpse into the difficulties she would encounter on her journey. Juliet did not know how, but all she knew was that her childhood was spent under the care of her loving grandmother. She grew up knowing one elderly sister but had no idea who their mother or father was. She will later learn she has other siblings. Juliet heard the father’s name to be Mr. Mensah Nuertey, a fisherman at Kpong Kanatamanso. It wasn’t until she turned 11 that her mother entered the picture. This period with her mother was rather brief. Around age 11, her grandmother, whom she was living with, shortly relocated to the city (Accra) to be with her husband, leaving Juliet in the care of a community member. While with this community member, Juliet was subjected to different kinds of abuse, including child labor. This got the attention of her grandmother, who was disappointed in the caretaker. The grandmother eventually decided to bring Juliet along to live with her in Achimota, a suburb of Accra. Life in Achimota was not any better, as Juliet was not given any proper education and was forced to support her grandmother’s fish-mongering business. Life in Achimota became a battle as Juliet’s grandmother and husband engaged in frequent quarrels related to the upkeep of Juliet. This was when Juliet gathered the courage to ask her grandmother about the whereabouts of her real mother. She insisted on going to her mother. Juliet was brought to see her mother, Patience Tetteh, at Tema. Miss Patience could not recognize her daughter, Juliet, and the sight and condition of Juliet’s mom depressed her. Juliet quickly understood why she was not left in the care of her mother. The mom was buried in serious alcoholism and mental illness, unable to put a single thought together. Juliet realized there was no way she could stay with her true mom. She returned to her troubles with her grandmother at Achimota and was later relocated back to Ada to live with an aunty (an elderly sister to her mother). Back in Ada with Kwanye, her aunty, Juliet, thought she had escaped the tumultuous environment, only to know it was the beginning of another abuse cycle. This transition came with its own set of challenges. With Kwanye also a fishmonger, Juliet was put in Kewunor basic school, but her primary responsibility was to smoke fish and cook for about 10 fishermen each day together with another young lady. The workload was too much for her age, making her tired and sleepy in class all the time. There were times she would be fetched from school to go smoke fish at home. Juliet recalls smoking fish throughout the night without sleeping each time there is a bomber harvest. This started taking a toll on Juliet’s academics, development, and health, to the concern of her teachers. She one day attended school with an illness that later became a serious illness. She was rushed to the hospital by her teachers, where she was diagnosed with having a chest problem as a result of the smoke and carrying items much heavier than her age and strength. She suffered respiratory problems, fatigue, and dehydration as well. These were clear symptoms of the abuse she was going through at age 12. Later, after Juliet’s recovery, Maranatha D/A teachers suggested she find a different place to stay. This was where the name of the Volta Revival Foundation and its work on children in child labor and trafficking popped up at one of the teacher’s staff meetings. The teachers, together with the headmaster, Mr. Holoma, decided to report Juliet’s predicament to VRF for support. VRF quickly stepped in to manage the situation at home and ensure Juliet was not made to go through child labor. VRF found an international sponsor for Juliet called the Gilman family, and she was provided counseling and rehabilitation, academic supplies, and fees. She also benefited from regular food supplies, continuous mentorship, extra tutoring, all basic supplies, and life planning. Gradually, and with the support of the team from VRF, Juliet completed her basic education and gained admission to Ada Technical Institute to pursue a program in hospitality and catering management. Despite the difficulties, Juliet considered herself fortunate to have had her grandmother’s support all this time. While her siblings found their ways to survive, Juliet counted herself lucky to have her grandmother’s unwavering support until she met VRF. Juliet’s journey took a pivotal turn with the intervention of the Volta Revival Foundation (VRF), a US-Ghanaian non-governmental organization based in Ada. The foundation rescued Juliet from a life marked by vulnerability and abuse, steering her towards a path of empowerment and education. From junior high school through senior high school at Ada Technical Institute, Juliet’s education was fully supported by VRF. Today, Juliet stands as a promising young woman within her community, a testament to the transformative power of organizations like VRF. Her determination and VRF’s assistance have enabled her to specialize in hospitality and catering management, a field that resonates deeply with her passion. When we returned Juliet to her grandmother’s house after graduating high school her grandmother cried out in joy, praising god that her “enemies have been made ashamed, to see my granddaughter graduate and return home with even an oven and everything she needs to be a success, praise to God he has delivered me, and my granddaughter is a success!”. As she eagerly awaits her results, Juliet’s journey continues with plans for practical internship experience in the hospitality sector at a local bustling resort, and with VRF’s continued guidance as we are committed to her success in her goal to gain the skills necessary to be a successful entrepreneur.