Giving Hope OVC Success Story -- Ntawirinda Emmanuel
Emmanuel (center back) with his OVC Work Group. Photo: YWCA/Rwanda |
OVC = Orphans and Vulnerable Children
Ntawirinda Emmanuel, 18-years-old, Kabarondo District, Musumba Sector, Rwanda.
Emmanuel's nickname is "Ewana," a word which means "My Dear" and is an expression that Emmanuel likes to say. He was born to a single mother. When his mother died, he was only 11, and in grade four in primary school. After her death, Ewana dropped out and began living on the streets in Kabarondo town. He couldn't keep the house because his mother's was a rented house in town.
Ewana used drugs and alcohol, and was considered "the chairman" of all street children. Many people feared him. He often bit and injured them when he got angry or wanted to steal.
Mugorewikeza, an OVC member participating in the Giving Hope program, and an OVC Working Group in Musumba, invited Ewana to join their group and the Giving Hope program. Ewana went to his first meeting because he thought that there would be a distribution of food (corn and oil), and he was planning to sell it to buy drugs. At the meeting were YWCA Rwanda social workers and other OVC talking about empowerment, and planning ways to work and take care of themselves.
Ewana told himself, "These people are not serious. Why should I work when I can get my food without pain--by stealing?" There was no distribution of food. Ewana did not come back.
Mugorewikeza visited Ewana once more with two other boys from the OVC group. They convinced Ewana to attend another meeting. At this meeting the OVC were talking about their dreams for the future. Ewana was impressed by the dream aspect and drew a picture of himself in a car in front of a beautiful house.
The OVC group identified Ewana's need for a house as a priority for Giving Hope house assistance. The Giving Hope program also helped him get into driver's training. Ewana passed his examination and got his temporary driving license. He is currently working for a bus company that works along the Kigali-Kibungo road.
Ewana continues to participate in other activities with his group, and is earning a small income selling chickens in Kabarondo and Kibungo markets. He has offered a free room in his new house to another group member and OVC, Niyomabzi, who is running a small restaurant in order to earn secondary school fees.
Today, Ewana is an exemplary leader in his group. He no longer takes drugs, and is very good at persuading other street children to give up their street lives. His "dream" came true, as he now has a house and is working as a driver. He hopes to get his permanent driving license next year (2007).
Read more about the Giving Hope program.
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Updated 10/9/06
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