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2 February 2008
Building a better world for children
In September 2005, Edouard, 11, started on a life-changing journey through World Vision Child Sponsorship. Since then, he and his mother have thrived, but memories of their past are never far away.
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Edouard helps out at home by washing clothes
and doing other chores.
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“My husband died three months before Edouard was born, and I have lost eight other children; including one during the 1994 war,” says Edouard’s mother Esperance. “The death of my husband affected me emotionally and financially, and I sank into extreme poverty.”
As Edouard grew up, the haunting past prevented Esperance from letting her son go to school. “I refused to register Edouard in school because I was scared that if he started school he might die,” says Esperance. “His elder brothers and sisters were of school age when they passed away.”
Edouard says: “Each time I saw children of my age walking to or from school, I felt unhappy and wondered why I could not go to school too.” When Edouard was 9 years old, he decided to go to a nearby school to register himself despite his mother’s disapproval. “Some friends suggested I talk to a teacher I knew. I went to her classroom and she helped me to start my studies.”
Now Edouard is in Grade Two. “My favourite subjects are languages, particularly Kinyarwanda grammar (local language) and French,” he says.
“I like playing football with my best friend Olivier and other children. I don’t have a ball but some of my neighbours do, so we share theirs. At home I fetch water, wash my clothes and collect firewood.”
Child Sponsorship is helping to improve Edouard’s life and the lives of many others. Edouard is one of about 2,000 sponsored children in Tubehoneza ADP. Thanks to generous sponsors from New Zealand, education, healthcare and access to water and sanitation are improving for these children and their families.
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Thanks to Child Sponsorship, life is improving
for Edouard and Esperance.
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More than just bringing community development, Child Sponsorship also establishes strong relationships between children like Edouard and the New Zealanders who sponsor them.
“The day I got my sponsor I was very happy,” says Edouard. His eyes light up as he shows a letter from his sponsor. “I know my sponsor. He wrote a letter to me and said that I’m special. He sent me a postcard too. I wish a prosperous New Year to my sponsor, and I thank him for all he does.”
Esperance is also grateful: “Sponsorship has swept away my worries and fears for Edouard. I have hope and I’m confident that he will grow up in good conditions.”
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Tubehoneza project profile
TUBEHONEZA STORY ARCHIVE
2008
Building a better world for children
Name changes but the good work continues
HopeChild
2007
Hope amid oppression
Snippets
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