Emmanuel (center) with Jean (left) and their
group's nkundabana, Martha. |
Emmanuel was 10, and his siblings were 7 and 5 when their mother died. They
had no house, and they separated. "I was a street child -- smoking,
drugs, alcohol -- you can imagine. I was told that in the village they
are gathering orphans. Someone took me there; the staff registered me, and
I went home with empty hands. Next I was called for a meeting. I couldn't
believe how they responded and welcomed me. I didn't expect that. I was
trained in income generation and began to think about a micro-business. I created
a project of selling chickens; I paid back my loan and with my profit began
a driver's training course.
"Because of the training on child rights, I decided to look for my siblings, who were also on the street. We found one another, but we had no house. The group selected us as a priority. Now we have our own house. I have the chickens and the driving classes. My sisters are in primary grades 3 and 5. They are doing very well in school, so I am saving for their secondary school. If I can get my driving license," says Emmanuel, now vice-chair of his Giving Hope group, "I can do more."