On the verge of 19 years in prison
Chris Somi was a troublesome youth . He didn ’ t know his father , and struggled without a father figure in his life .
“ Growing up in a broken home without my father caused me to be rebellious because I never received much discipline ; I was able to do what I wanted , when I wanted . Although I was a smart child , I ruined my chances of success in school with my behaviour . I would always cause problems and disruptions and this led to me leaving school with no qualifications .
My mother and I didn ’ t have much of a bond because she would always be at work so I wouldn ’ t have much time to speak to her . We never lacked at home but because I didn ’ t spend much time with my mother I would spend it with other people that were a bad influence .
I had a sense of freedom whenever my mother was away ; I would misbehave and she wasn ’ t aware . Being this undisciplined child , I wouldn ’ t accept anyone telling me what to do because from the age of 14 my mother didn ’ t tell me what to do so why would I accept it from others ?. Because of this I would fight in school ; I would fight students , teachers , you name it .
Anyone who tried getting in my way would get harmed and I wasn ’ t willing to change . It was either my way or no way – this was my mentality . I was very angry .
I made so many teachers bleed , and I was kicked out of school in year nine . After getting kicked out of school I turned to smoking weed ; little by little I became addicted . I was sent to a special behaviour school and I fought there too . I got kicked out again and was sent to another , but the same thing continued happening again and again . I would go in and out of different schools .
After smoking weed , I started doing robberies . I would rob people , houses , shops , cars , etc . My mum couldn ’ t bear it anymore ; she had had enough of constantly seeing me in trouble with the law and smelling weed in her house . Being with friends who were a bad influence would lead me to different extremes – just for simple entertainment , I would climb through a roof to steal from a shop at night . I had police come to the house looking for me . I had taken part in fraudulent activities and I also had possession of weapons .
On one account I was falsely accused of rape and acquitted by the judge in the crown court .
Today I am blessed in all areas of my life . I no longer have anger within me ; instead I ’ m at peace .”
My mother came to the UCKG first . Soon after , I joined her . I never believed that I could change my lifestyle . However , through the UCKG I have learnt that it is in fact possible for me to transform . The youth group showed me steps to change and these have transformed my mentality . I have let go of all my bad influences .
Today I am blessed in all areas of my life . I no longer have anger within me ; instead I ’ m at peace . My family is blessed : I ’ m engaged and getting married soon , and my mother has re-married . So I have a stepdad now , and we get along .
I am now a support worker , working alongside doctors and psychologists , to help young people overcome their problems . I am a mentor , going into prisons to help and guide young people and also working with adults who misuse substances . Instead of causing damage to society , I am now working to build it .”
Chris Somi
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