In April of 1994, the genocide against the Tutsi took place in Rwanda. Twenty-six years later, the genocide has continued to show negative impacts on the Tutsi and Rwandan community as we see an increase in vulnerable children and families who have developed poor parenting habits.
Most of our kids grow up under a poor single parent household. This makes finding food a challenge that can cause kids to stop attending school. The parents don’t apply discipline and we often see conflict in the house. This can also push the kids onto the streets.
No matter the story that led them onto the streets, Rising Above the Storms will offer counseling and work with the parent to help the child resume their studies and peaceful living at home. The kids will then continue to have regular peer group counseling at the Center.
Prior to the pandemic, the Center always had regular activities ready for the kids. For instance, the kids would come to the Center on the weekends to play soccer. Soccer has become one of our core counseling tools to help transform their behaviors and build better lives.
The Center also worked with the kids to acquire computer skills to help better their studies.
Rising Above the Storms continues to assess the problems of the Rwandan community to help empower these kids through counseling. We hope that by healing their wounds and helping them plan for a better future through education, we can break the line of poverty among these children and their families.
COVID-19 has affected people all over the world in different aspects of their lives. For our kids, they have not been able to attend school or come to the Center for counseling.
To make sure our kids don’t return to the streets, Amahoro Builders is still reaching out to respective families through phone calls and home visits. During our August and September blog, we detailed that our kids are split into two groups Gatenga and Busanza. These two groups consist of 28 children in total with Gatenga consisting of 9 children and Busanza consisting of 19 children. All 28 of our children are living with either their parents or guardians during this time.
In order to keep up with counseling, our counselors try to visit them four times a week. During many of the sessions, our counselors continue to stress the importance of respecting measures to fight the coronavirus and have continued lessons prior to the pandemic that focus on their individual transformation.
Our team discussing ideas.
We even talk to them about ways they can help their parents with chores like fetching water, cleaning the home, washing clothes, and prepare food. We’ve also advised them to use the evening time to revisit their studies so that they are ready when school starts.
Our kids can’t wait to go back to school and long to see their classmates and teachers again. They do get discouraged at times, but overall are hopeful about returning to school. By visiting them regularly, we hope to keep our kids engaged.
We also have invited them to come to the center to eat porridge and food. Sometimes we even see the Busanza and Gatenga groups play football together.
“I feel insecure and we don’t know when this will end. How much longer will this continue? What will happen to us? Will we continue to have food?”
These are the questions the kids at the Center are asking themselves during the pandemic.
But the one constant in their lives, has been the support they have received from Amahoro Builders and at Rising Above the Storms we believe relationships are everything.
The reality is however, with limited access to the internet (especially during the pandemic), our kids feel their connection to the world slowly slipping.
This is why we started our first virtual letter campaign.
During this campaign, we are asking you to submit words of encouragement or inspiration. It can be a note, a picture, or even a video!
Our goal is to give the kids one of the things they need the most, connection. We all might feel alone, but we hope that if sending this letter proves anything it is that we aren’t.
COVID-19 has been a challenge for everyone in their daily lives. In Rwanda, it has deeply affected our children and their families.
During the month of April, we were able to support them with food. In May, it was difficult. We kept following up with the kids through phone calls with their mothers or guardians. By the beginning of June, we were able to visit some of them in order to know how they were coping with the situation of staying home. Here is how they are doing:
Busanza is a neighborhood in the in Kigali region of Rwanda. A group of our kids from the Center reside here and have become friends outside of the Center both with their group and the Gatenga group.
“In this situation of staying home and staying safe, my brother, Dieudonne, and I have learned how to stay home. I think we succeeded. Our Mum died and the lockdown announcement occurred unexpectedly, leaving our dad locked at work. He could not come home and had to stay there. That meant we were alone. This situation has frightened us since the time the lockdown started till the time you brought us food in April. But in May, the situation changed. We are so proud that we were able to manage this situation alone and with the help of receiving food from Amahoro Builders. We are safe, and our dad comes and goes from work. We are happy,” Patrick said.
Daniel brought up a similar outlook that this has been a good moment to be with his mother after a long period of conflict. “Now, the situation is good. We understand each other and I feel much better at home even if getting food is hard. We have peace after the counseling sessions I received from Amahoro Builders counselors, said Daniel.”
From time to time we go to the ground near our home and play soccer with other children. All the children of Busanza meet on the playground mostly every day to play.
When Fred and Prosper went to visit them, they were found on the ground playing soccer. They said they miss their peer group counseling at the Center and playing soccer with the Gatenga group.
When Prosper, a volunteer coach, asked them why they don’t wear masks, they said that it disturbed them when they were playing.
“If there is no class, no other entertainment, no going to the center, no peer group counseling, meeting here to play soccer is our dearest time.”
All the children of Busanza are not able to access the internet and television to continue their studies through e-learning, a program the Ministry of Education activated to help fill the gap.
The children noted that they would like to revisit their courses and continue learning, but the situation is not favorable. There is no television, radio, computer, or smart phone to connect to for e-learning.
“What we do have is enough time to continue improving our football skills even if we are missing our brothers and sisters of Gatenga. We are coping with the situation as positively as we can.”
Editorial Note:Rising Above the Storms acknowledges the importance of wearing a mask in public to limit the spread of COVID-19. We are working with the kids to stress the importance of wearing masks and are providing masks to the kids without any. We are posting this blog to show the real hardships our kids are facing. The reality is, during the pandemic, our kids have even less access to the internet leading them to turn to in-person activities such as soccer to retain their connection to the world. At Rising Above the Storms, we aim to provide our kids access to the internet as a fundamental human right in hopes that our kids can value their health and the health of others above that of connection and connectivity.
COVID-19 has been a challenge for everyone in their daily lives. In Rwanda, it has deeply affected our children and their families.
During the month of April, we were able to support them with food. In May, it was difficult. We kept following up with the kids through phone calls with their mothers or guardians. By the beginning of June, we were able to visit some of them in order to know how they were coping with the situation of staying home. Here is how they are doing:
Gatenga is a neighborhood in the Kicukiro district (akarere) in Kigali Province, Rwanda. Most of our kids reside here and have become friends outside of the Center both with their group and the Busanza group.
We met with each of the kids at their homes in an open space. In the short discussions we had with each of the kids, these are their testimonies on their experience with COVID-19. Amina told us that she is not happy having to stay home all the time. “It’s boring, we cannot move, meet our friends, go to the Center, or go to school. No more entertainment, said Amina.”
This sentiment was been expressed by all of the children at Gatenga.
Idrissa is also worried. In Rwanda, the Ministry of Education has put effort to making courses available through e-learning and has encouraged children to use the television and internet to follow their studies. Unfortunately, Idrissa does not have tools to facilitate home learning.
Eric voiced that it is not easy to stay at home all day, but that he is trying to help his aunt. “I enjoy helping,” he said.
Next we visited Line at his grandmother’s home where he is staying with his Mum. “I am happy because none of my family, friends, or myself have been affected by COVID-19. It is scary how it has killed so many people. We are safe and the progressing situation in Rwanda is good. I hope we will resume school as planned. I am full of hope to go back to school. Staying home is not easy, but I am trying. And if I have to go out, I always wear a mask and respect social distancing. Your visit is encouraging. I am happy with my family.”
After each individual conversation, we had a short discussion in a group. Prosper, a volunteer coach, encouraged them to enforce their discipline and effort to cope with COVID-19, to keep social distancing.
He reminded them to stay home and wear masks.
In this photo, two of the children did not have masks. They were instructed that if they cannot get a mask to inform Amahoro Builders so that they could provide one.
The children were told that protecting their lives and the lives of their families is the reason why they have to respect these measures.
In all, the children are trying to cope with the situation, but is not easy.
“We are safe, our family members are safe, and we do not have COVID-19 in our homes. We are grateful for your support and encouragement,” the children said.
Editorial Note:Rising Above the Storms acknowledges the importance of wearing a mask in public to limit the spread of COVID-19. We are working with the kids to stress the importance of wearing masks and are providing masks to the kids without any. We are posting this blog to show the real hardships our kids are facing. The reality is, during the pandemic, our kids have even less access to the internet leading them to turn to in-person activities such as soccer to retain their connection to the world. At Rising Above the Storms, we aim to provide our kids access to the internet as a fundamental human right in hopes that our kids can value their health and the health of others above that of connection and connectivity.
The first day I was at the center without Yvette and Fred, I did not understand.
I had a fear that paralyzed my emotions.
Staying at the Center with four kids, I did not understand how life would be without them around.
As days went on, Fred and Dr. Appoline came to visit us.
They understood my fear of staying alone.
They helped convince the children to respect the sanitation measures and created home activities to help keep them busy.
We don’t know when this will end and sometimes I feel insecure, but the cooperation and sympathy of the team have resurrected my hope. They are always calling me and asking about the center.
Stay hopeful, wash your hands, and keep social distancing.
About Dieudonne
Dieudonne was born and raised in Rwanda. He completed high school and taught modern languages at Teacher Training College. He currently lives at the Center in Rwanda; he cooks, cleans and watches children who temporarily stay at the Center in between transitioning off the street and returning to their community.
He joined Rising Above the Storms (RAS) via Peace Builders NGO in February 2018 serving as caregiver and housekeeper at the Center. Dieudonne enjoys cooking, cleaning, and washing clothes and also likes so much music and basketball.
At the Center, Fred and Yvette act not only as counselors to the kids, but as guides in their lives. That is why the kids at the Center often refer to them as Teacher. One of those kids is Eric. Eric is one of four kids who live at the Center, and who have stayed there throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Twice a week, Fred is checking in on the kids at the Center. When asked to see how Eric was doing, this was his story.
“Ah teacher, it is so boring for us. We don’t get to see our fellow friends from the Center to have fun and play football together. We are not going outside of the fence and we are afraid of this virus and how it has threatened people and weakened everything in our country and the world.
In order to respect the 2 meter social distancing rule, we are not allowed to play together. I feel insecure and we don’t know when this will end.
How much longer will this continue?
What will happen to us?
Will we continue to have food?
What about the kids in our community who are not with us?
Maybe after the coronavirus, I won’t see my friends. I often worry about what is happening to them.
Teacher, will we be able to take our final exam in primary 6? Or we will redo this year? It is not certain or clear. I do fear that I will have to repeat this year. The coronavirus has made me feel uncertain about tommorow.
Alone in the garden, I try to revise my class notes and read but my attention is limited. I just want to hear about the solutions for the virus.
My afternoons in the Center are very hard. My days are long since I cannot play with the others. Dieudonne [the caregiver and housekeeper at the Center] reminds us to keep our distance and we fear getting too close to each other.
In the beginning I did not understand. I thought that the quarantine would only last a few days. The Center was not prepared, and our provisions were only for a few days.
I was shocked every time I sat and watched the news from around the world.
I was terrified and could not sleep when I thought about what would happen to our kids who were asked to stay home, with no class.
Because they are poor, the coronavirus will have tremendous consequences for the families of our kids.
Even though I continue to work online and stay informed about what is happening with the kids still at the center, I feel sad to hear what is happening.
My family is also quarantined. From time to time we are well off and together, but the new normal does not give us time to rest.
Staying at home, washing our hands, and social distancing are rules applied in my family.
About Yvette
Born and raised in Rwanda, Yvette is an office administrator and councelor for Rising Above the Storms.
She completed her bachelor’s degree in Clinical Psychology from the Institute of Agriculture, Technology and Education of Kibungo (INATEK) located in the Eastern Province of Rwanda. She is a Therapist by profession and she likes to lend a year and be a positive impact in her community and society.
Yvette served as a Primary teacher for 5 years before she started college; she loves children and likes to see them make great choices and decisions for their future. She first served as a volunteer (counselor) for a local NGO Peace Builders, and was hired full time after RAS entered partnership with Peace Builders in 2016; PeaceBuilders’ vision and mission is to improve the lives of children, family planning and early childhood development. Its partnership with RAS focus on youth-at-risk (street children) in Rwanda.
Saidi is one of four kids who live at the Center, and who have stayed there throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Twice a week, Fred – a counselor for Rising Above the Storms – is checking in on the kids at the Center. When asked to see how Saidi was doing, this was his story.
“Here, whatever you touch, you have to wash your hands with soap and clean water. Our hands have never been so clean. While we do respect prevention through sanitation, you start to dream about washing your hands.
I become hopeless and fearful when I think about my friends being back on the street.
Are they safe?
Are they respecting this measure of sanitation? Ha, they possibly can’t.
What about my family? Surely they are not safe like I am here.
I pray that God protects them.
Teacher, do you think we will be able to resume our classes after this? Will everything be destroyed?
While this place gives us security, we still worry. Reviewing my notes and reading is hard. I cannot concentrate and when I start reading I start to feel sleepy even if it is very early in the morning.
COVID-19 has been a great devil to humankind. While respecting measures taken by the government to prevent it, we will continue to fight it in our homes, community, country, and the world.
When I accepted the role to go to the Center from time to time, to supervise in cleaning and bring the children food, I knew there was a risk.
I knew that I was exposing myself to contamination. It has not been easy for me or my wife.
Responsibility, sympathy, and compassion have helped me stay driven. I have a responsibility to the organization ‘Amahoro Builders’ and to the children.
I am now a bit more secure and pray to God to give me the power to overcome this fear, because he is able.
In Rwanda, we have had cases and that has not made it easy for me to go to the bank, the Center, or the market to buy food for the children.
At home I have fun with my lovely wife and during the time I am home, the feeling of hopelessness and the pain of moving around is gone.
Thank you to my wife who has kept me healthy.
About Fred
Fred was born in Uganda and grew up in Rwanda. Through Compassion International Organization, Fred was sponsored by an American couple (the Evan’s) to study high school and they continued through college. Fred graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration/Accounting from the University of Rwanda. During college, Fred also managed to study Theology through Joy of God Institute.
For 4 years, through Compassion International, Fred studied a servant leadership principles course called the Leadership Development Program (LDP). He also led different Student’s Associations at the university and in the Leadership Development Program. Some of his roles where being a care group leader and vice coordinator for all students sponsored by Compassion International at different universities in Rwanda (2014-2016). Fred was one of the top five Compassion’s students awarded during his LDP Graduation in 2016.
Fred joined Rising Above the Storms (RAS) Rwanda (via Peace Builders) in June 2017. He serves as an Accountant for the Center in Rwanda and Counselor for the children. He loves to serve & work with children, advocating for them and playing his part in transforming the lives of the children. He also serves as a coach for the children’s soccer team.
