TechForAll Foundation: A Story of Loss, Hope, and Opportunity
In Loving Memory of Mbemba & Lamin
Yaya Trawally
Founder of TechForAll Foundation
Yaya Trawally spent 15 years working as an IT professional across various sectors in the UK. As a dual British-Gambian citizen, he watched from London as young people, including people he loved, risked everything on dangerous migration routes in search of a future that should have been available at home.
"No young person should have to risk their life to find a future. That is what TechForAll exists to change."
In many developing countries, young people dream of Europe as a beacon of opportunity and prosperity. They yearn for brighter futures, often believing that success can only be found far from home. Yet, the journey to Europe often called the "backway" is fraught with unimaginable danger, heartbreak, and loss.
For the Founder, this reality is deeply personal. A few years ago, he lost two beloved family members, Mbemba and Lamin, who were just 20 years old when they embarked on the perilous journey across the Mediterranean in search of a better life. Their lives were tragically cut short, and their dreams, like so many others, were swallowed by the sea.
Their loss became the driving force behind the Founder's mission: to ensure that no family has to endure the same heartbreak. According to UNHCR, more than 6,615 lives have been lost or reported missing along this treacherous route in recent years. Behind each number lies a story of untapped potential, unfulfilled dreams, and families forever changed.
At TechForAll Foundation, we believe that no one should have to leave their home or risk their life to achieve their dreams. We envision a world where young people can thrive within their own communities, supported by access to education, technology, and opportunities that allow them to build successful futures close to home.
By equipping youth with the tools they need to succeed in the digital world, we aim to transform lives, reshape mindsets, and inspire hope. TechForAll is more than a foundation it's a movement to create a future where no one feels compelled to take the "backway" and families can remain whole.
This is the Founder's promise: to honour the memory of Mbemba and Lamin and to build a world where opportunity isn't a distant dream but a reality at home.