Real Strength Stories: Michael from Fight for Peace London

In a new series of blogs on luta.co.uk, we will be telling the stories of several young people whose lives have benefitted from being part of Fight for Peace (FFP). As you know, LUTA is a social enterprise that has a 50% profit share scheme with Fight for Peace. That means that by buying LUTA, you are supporting thousands of young people who go through our academies in Rio and in London every year. First up on 'Real Strength Stories' is Michael Appiah, 20, one of the original members of the London Academy who is currently a university student working towards his goal of becoming a lawyer.

“I was hanging around the local park with some friends one day back in 2007 when a couple of community outreach workers from Fight for Peace came over and started telling us about their project. They told us it was just starting up here although was originally from Brazil and that they taught boxing and martial arts. I thought it sounded cool so went over and checked it out the next day,” Michael told LUTA.

Almost five years later and Michael is still at Fight for Peace, still attending boxing training sessions and still an active member of the Youth Council (a group of young people who represent all of FFP’s members in many aspects of the organisation’s decision-making). “It was all so welcoming and open that I threw myself into the activities and well, I kind of never left!”

“Being in the Youth Council at Fight for Peace has given me so many opportunities to meet new people but I’ve also really come to appreciate the hard graft that goes in to the running of the Academy here so we can participate in and enjoy all the activities on offer.”

A natural leader, Michael is an aspiring lawyer who currently studies at Northampton University. Fight for Peace’s wide network of contacts and partners were important to help him on his chosen path. “I’ve done internships at law firms in central London and receive ongoing advice from a barrister who also gives me law books to study. These opportunities came about through Fight for Peace,” he says.

“I’m really driven to succeed as a lawyer and Fight for Peace has helped me believe I can achieve these goals. It makes me happy to see them growing as an organisation and hopefully their relationship with LUTA will allow them to help even more young people in the local community.”

Fight for Peace and LUTA founder Luke Dowdney had this to say: “Michael has always demonstrated what is possible when you dedicate yourself to achieving a goal. When I first met him at the Academy he told me he was going to be a barrister. Given where we were, and his age, many people would have found that hard to believe. Four years later, following two internships at major law firms, Michael is studying law. It’s this kind of perseverance and never-quit spirit which makes a true champion.”