Give street children in Burundi a future

‘’My name is Emmanuel* and I’m 17 years old.

I spent 3 years on the streets.

An incident that shook me up few years back was when my house caught fire. My friends in the neighbourhood advised me to accompany them on the streets. I did so and I considered that to be a solution to the ongoing food shortage at home. I therefore decided to go on the streets without telling my mother and my 2 younger brothers. While being on the streets, I realized that it’s not a nice feeling to be a street child.

The Outreach team from New Generation Burundi (NGB) found me on the street, and they took me to the centre. The team asked us about the challenges street-connected children face on the streets. And I was asked if I would want go back home, I said yes. Since that day, I never looked back’’. NGB took the initiative to support Emmanuel, and reintegrate him into his family in Ruziba in the month of August 2020. A kit of basic necessities (mattress, bed sheets, clothes, etc) was given to him.

In October 2020, some staff members from NGB visited Emmanuel’s Mum in Ruziba. She was blessed with a baby girl and she was happy with her son not going back on the streets and being able to contribute towards house expenses.

The team then visited Emmanuel at his new workplace.

‘’I am currently working as a waiter at a small barbecue joint’’, he said.

‘’ I have my breakfast and lunch at my workplace. After work, I buy food for my Mum and brothers and we all have dinner together. I would want to work for myself, start my own business .

I would want NGB to help me in building my own house so that I can start living an independent life’’

We wish every success to Emmanuel in his endeavours and wish to continue helping street-connected children with the support of current and potential future partners.

• The child’s name has been changed and his face has been blurred in order to protect his identity

We thank each one of you who have regularly supported us, through Street Action, for many years; and those who are new supporters and have provided substantial sums to make this possible.

We are truly grateful.