Stephen Young has always felt "driven to see the world" and left London at the age of 17 to do just that. He loves music, celebrates life and love and sees value, use, and often great potential in the world's outcasts, whether they be unwanted appliances in Tokyo or street children in the slums of Goa.
Young traveled the world, starting in Europe, making his way along the overland hippie trail and arriving in India in 1976. Always ready to help others, Young volunteered in an infamous Kabul prison. He would bring food, hope and legal representation to young foreigners arrested, often on wrongful charges, and incarcerated amid horrendous conditions.
It was in Afghanistan in 1977 that Young met Maria, a fellow Brit and traveler who would become his wife. Young spent time in Syria, Jordan, Afghanistan and Pakistan and played and sang in a band with his younger brother in Venezuela and Egypt. After the birth of their son, Jono, the family continued to travel, eventually coming to Japan 22 years ago.
With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page.