The Children         Meet the twenty-six boys and two girls who have stolen our hearts. All twenty-four are street children who, with your generous support, have been given the opportunity to leave street life and pursue their full potential. Their backgrounds are diverse and include: being orphaned by AIDS or genocide, suffering the neglect of their parents, and other abuse at home that makes life on the streets more tolerable than life at home. Yet behind their tough faces lie chilren who simply long to be loved.

Claude Ngabonziza Estimated Age: 6 Family History: Claude was born into poverty and lived with his mother who sold items on the street corners. Since she did not have a business permit to sell merchandise on the streets, one day she was caught by the police and arrested. Claude was with his mother, and they were both taken to prison. After two years of living in prison, Claude’s mother died. Claude remained there until April 2011 when HFLM staff found him and took him to their home. Claude says he remembers having a father, but that is as far beyond the prison walls he can remember. HFLM is trying to find out what happened to his father and if he has any other family. Present Condition: “I like it here because I am praying to God, and running, and am excited to go to school.” Favorite Hobbies: “I love eating and I want to become big and strong. I like singing and playing soccer.” Hopes: “I want to become big so that I can ride a bike. I also want to be a soccer player or a soldier.”

Puppy Rushungi Rashidi Age: 8 Family History: Puppy had been on the streets for about 3 months before HFLM found him. Nevertheless, he had lived in severe poverty his whole life and was on the brink of death when HFLM took him in. His mother was a prostitute, and when she discovered she had AIDs she abandoned her children and went to live in another province. Puppy and his brothers went to live with their grandparents. His grandpa was very ill and did not have the means to care for Puppy, so he went to find a better life on the streets. Present Condition: “I am very happy and like playing with my friends here.” Favorite Hobbies: “I like listening to gospel music and eating macaroni.” Hopes: “I want to be a teacher.”

Jackson Ishimwe Age: 7 Family History: At a young age, Jackson went to beg with his mother. The money supported his mother’s addiction to alcohol and sometimes she bought him food with it. His parents fought frequently and his father sometimes beat Jackson causing him and his siblings to often go to their neighbors to sleep. When his mom left, the beatings from his dad increased and Jackson escaped and started a life on the street where he began taking drugs. HFL staff found Jackson in a jail cell in March 2009 and accepted him into the program. Present Condition: “I am good at HFL. It’s a very good place. We’re not fighting or insulting each other. We pray to God together and we eat well and dress nicely.” Favorite Hobbies: “I like to make cars and airplanes out of mud and to play soccer.” Hopes: “I will be a pilot and I will be praying to God.”

Benjamin Nsabimana Age: 8 Family History: Nsabiri grew up with his abusive mother and many stepbrothers, including Emmanuel Nshimiyimana. He used to see his brother Emmanuel going to the market to steal food for them and he started following. Nsabiri began begging at a young age and gave the money to his mother to buy him food, but most of the money supported her alcoholism. Nsabiri also began buying drugs with the money he earned. He was arrested once and says, “it was scary.” He joined HFL in March 2009. Present Condition: “I’m living a good life at HFL. I got saved and I’m a good boy now and I know God. I like God.” Favorite Hobbies: “I like to pray to God and to obey parents. I like to watch TV and to play soccer too.” Hopes: “I want to be the President of Rwanda and I want to help my family.”

Simeon Igiraneza Age: 8 Family History: Simeon grew up in Kigali with both of his parents in an extremely large family. They were very poor and “It was hard for us to get food at home because there were so many people.” HFL staff deemed Simeon a very vulnerable child and accepted him into the program in July 2009. Present Condition: “I am happy at HFL. Whatever I need, I get it. And I thank God who brought me here.” Favorite Hobbies: “I like to pray, to study, and to sing. I like to play soccer so much.” Hopes: “I want to be a gospel artist and I want to become a pilot.”

Eric Nsabimana Estimated Age: 10 Family History: Eric had spent several years on the streets before HFLM found him weak from malnutrition and covered with painful sores all over his body. He was in such bad condition that HFLM immediately took him in and began caring for his physical needs. He had lived with his mother, but she was very poor and when she remarried he was not welcome at home by his step father. When he was on the streets he would occasionally visit his mother, but then would return to sleep on the streets. Present Condition: “I feel good at HFLM because they take care of us really well. They bath me, give me clothes to wear and food.” Favorite Hobbies: “I like to play soccer, and to pray. I like praying because God took me out of the streets and brought me to a good place.” Hopes: “I want to be the president, or some kind of great person and a leader.”

John Hagenimana Age: 11 Family History: John grew up with his mother, father and 4 siblings. His father’s alcoholism and inability to feed his family caused many fights between his parents and his mother often slept at her brother’s house. His parents refused to take John to school so everyday, John pushed his disabled friend Veterne’s wheelchair as he begged. HFL staff found John when they were bringing Veterne and Daniel to the home, and decided to accept him in December 2009. Present Condition: “I feel good at HFL. I play with other children and I watch TV.” Favorite Hobbies: "I like to clean the rabbits and to take care of them. I also like to wash my clothes and I enjoy running around the outside of the house.” Hopes: “I want to be a teacher.”

Obedi Mbarushimana Age: 11 Family History: Obedi’s father passed away when he was young, leaving his mother to take care of him and his 3 siblings. At a young age, Obedi was forced to cultivate fields with his mother to get food for his family. Obedi started going to school but was kicked out when his mom couldn’t afford to buy him a uniform. HFL discovered Obedi’s vulnerability and he was brought to HFL in November 2009. Present Condition: “I like it here. My needs are met and they teach us discipline. We eat well and we get clothes.” Favorite Hobbies: “I like to play soccer and volleyball. I like to serve God too.” Hopes: “I want to be a minister and I want to serve God and take my family from poverty.”

Donath Bizimana Age: 10 Family History: Donath grew up in a very poor family with 6 siblings. His parents were often drunk and would beat him, also forcing him to do labor. One day when his parents arrived home drunk and started beating him, he decided he couldn’t take anymore and ran away. He snuck onto a truck that was carrying sand to Kabuga and began living life on the streets. Present Condition: “I am happy to live a new life. I can eat whatever I want and now I am clean.” Donath is a very obedient, lovely, and gentle natured boy who loves to smile. Favorite Hobbies: “I like to play soccer, to sing, and to go to church.” Hopes: “I want to go to school and to become a teacher in the future.”

Patrick "Uwimana" Nshimiyimana Age: 11 Family History: When Uwimana was young, his father divorced his mother and remarried. His father was often drunk and would beat him. His stepmother would try to hide Uwimana when his father was drunk, but it was of no avail. One day, Uwimana was beaten nearly to death and the local authorities took his father to prison. Upon the father’s release, he tried to kill Uwimana. Fortunately, Uwimana escaped and ran away to live on the streets. Present Condition: “I am happy to be at HFLM.” While on the streets, Uwimana exhibited violence and was very addicted to drugs. Slowly, however, he began changing when HFLM staff began getting involved in his life. He stopped taking drugs and was accepted into HFLM in August 2010. He is now a quiet boy who enjoys laughing and helping around the house. Favorite Hobbies: “I like to play soccer and sing.” Hopes: “I want to go to school and become a teacher.”

Daniel Niyogushimwa Age: 12 Family History: Daniel’s parents separated when he was young and he went to live with his father who began abusing him physically. Daniel left to live with his mom but she did not have the means to provide for all her children, and Daniel was forced to live with his brother Veterne in Kigali. Daniel spent his days on the streets pushing his crippled brother Veterne and helping him beg. He met HFL staff and came to the home in December 2009 with his brother and best friend John. Present Condition: “I am happy to be here and I will soon go to school. I am asking God that I will be a good student. I sleep in a good place and I watch TV here. I thank God because he brought me from the street to HFL.” Favorite Hobbies: “I like to push my brother Veterne and I like having time to talk with other boys. I also really like to play soccer.” Hopes: “I want to study and to be a good student. I also want to be a pastor or a teacher.”

Djuhudi Ndayambaje Age: 13 Family History: Djuhudi grew up without his mother who died due to complications from giving birth to him. Because of this, he was tossed between living with his father and his sister who did not properly take care of him, so Djuhudi began living on the streets. His living conditions caused him to become very sick, but he was discovered by a generous man who started to provide for his medical needs. Despite the man’s efforts, Djuhudi became so ill that he began living at the hospital. When HFLM heard of Djuhudi’s circumstances they brought him to HFLM. Present Condition: “My life now is totally different from before and I live in a good place. I don't have any problems.” Favorite Hobbies: “I like to play football and to watch movies.” Hopes: “I want to go to school and in the future become a chef.”

Pacifique Niyitanga Age: 14 Family History: At 5 years old, Pacifique was orphaned and began living with his aunt. However, Pacifique started misbehaving and went to live on the streets where he was arrested for being a street boy, When Pacifique was released, he went to live with his aunt again but due to verbal abuse and extreme poverty he was forced onto the streets. Once again Pacifique was imprisoned, and when he was released in March 2009 he came to live at HFL. Present Condition: “I am so happy because I am a child in a family. I am very well here. I don’t see anything bad here.” Favorite Hobbies: “I love to pray, to study, and to play soccer.” Hopes: “In my future, I want to be a valuable man. I want to be a leader. Maybe I can start by being a district leader and then be a president, if God wishes.”

Veterne Uwanyirigira Age: 14 Family History: Veterne was born with a disability that has rendered him crippled. Because his father was physically abusive, Veterne was forced to live with him his mother who did not have the means to care for him. His mother left Kigali to farm and provide for her family, but Veterne and several of his siblings remained by themselves in the city. As the new head of the household, Veterne provided money for rent and his sisters’ school by begging. He taught himself how to read and write and soon wanted to stop begging and go to school. Veterne’s family allowed him and his younger brother to leave a life of begging and come to HFL in December 2009, in exchange for HFL paying for his sisters’ school fees. Present Condition: “I have no problems now. I had enough of begging and now I get to go to school.” Favorite Hobbies: “I like to play musical instruments.” Hopes: “I want to study and I’m happy because I’m improving. I hope to speak English to my family one day and they’ll say, ‘Why did we keep him from studying?’ I also want to be a medical doctor.”

Patrick Tuyabahe Age: 14 Family History: Patrick has a father, 2 siblings, and a mother with a mental disability in the Eastern Province of Rwanda. “Life was bad in my family because we were very poor and it was hard for us to get food.” Sometimes, Patrick would leave home to work and find food and he would return to the beatings of his father. Patrick grew up living in a grass hut and couldn’t afford to attend school. HFL staff found Patrick on a visit to the Eastern Province and accepted him into the program in September 2009. Favorite Hobbies: “I like to study Kinyarwanda and to pray.” Hopes: “I want to study and to pray. I want to be a good singer who pleases God. I also want to be a policeman or a soldier.”

D’Amour Habinshuti Age: 15 Family History: By the time D’Amour was 4 both of his parents had died. A pastor took him and his little sister and they lived with them for 2 years, but they were beaten, mistreated, and eventually abandoned by the family. D’Amour was rescued by a man who took them into their home but once again, they were violently abused. They tried to live with their older siblings but they didn’t have the means to take care of them. D’Amour found a group of other orphans to live with in an abandoned building. When HFL staff discovered his situation, they accepted him into HFL in September 2009. Present Condition: “I am happy now and I have no problems. No one can take me away from here.” Favorite Hobbies: “I like to study and to play soccer.” Hopes: “I want to study and become a leader or a minister.”

Berco Maniraguha Age: 15 Family History: Berco grew up with his mother and step-father, but left his home when his parents forced him to work at a young age. His mother brought him back but she was soon arrested for making and selling unauthorized beer. Berco went to live with his grandmother but escaped and went to look after goats. When his employers refused to pay him, Berco left and started living on the streets and taking drugs. He met HFL staff who accepted him into the program in September 2009. Favorite Hobbies: “I like to play soccer and to raise rabbits.” Hopes: “I want to study and to serve my country. In the future I want to help my mother and I am dreaming of becoming a medical doctor.”

Emmanuel Nshimiyimana (Nicknamed “Baby") Age: 16 Family History: Emmanuel’s father died when he was a baby and his mother was an abusive alcoholic. After being nearly beaten to death, Emmanuel began living on the streets and stealing to make money. When Emmanuel’s mother came after him with a machete, he vowed to never return to her home. Today, his mother lives in a garbage dump with his two older brothers. Emmanuel has forgiven his mother and wishes to reconcile with his family and share his testimony. He arrived at HFL in March 2009. Present Condition: “The thing I like the most here is that we pray and they don’t force you to do anything. They just help you to make your choice. HFL has helped me to know the importance of prayer because before I didn’t know why people prayed. Now I know that whatever we need, we should pray for.” Favorite Hobbies: “I like to play basketball and to draw.”

John Peter Mwizerwa Age: 16 Family History: By the time Mwizerwa was a toddler, his mother had died and his father was in prison. When his father died in the prison, Mwizerwa and his twin sister were left as orphans and they went to live with their grandmother. Mwizerwa was able to go to school, but had to drop out due to problems with his eyes. His grandmother was an alcoholic and he began drinking with her at a young age, and soon became addicted to alcohol. He began cultivating a field with his grandmother to support their addiction. HFL staff discovered Mwizerwa’s situation and brought him to HFL in November 2009. Present Condition: “Life is good. I didn’t know how to pray when I came here, but now I know. I’m sleeping on a mattress and watching TV for the first time. And now, I can dress in jeans, a shirt, and shoes.” Favorite Hobbies: “I like to play soccer and volleyball.” Hopes: “I want to study and to become a minister.”

Vital “David” Hitimana Age: 17 Family History: David was neglected by his parents and experienced regular physical and emotional abuse. His parents forced him to drop out of school and made him into a servant in his own house; caring for the house and the fields while his siblings continued their studies and didn’t have to work. David left home to find a better life, but was soon arrested. He remembers, “I used to feel so sad because if my family was a good family, I wouldn’t have been there.” When he was released, he went searching for a way to continue his studies and was accepted into HFL in September 2009. Present Condition: “I feel well here because I can get the things I need, unlike at my home. I have time to play and I feel more secure here. Before, my mind was filled with violent thoughts, but now it is full of peace.” David possesses a humble demeanor and has great integrity. While on the streets, he never took drugs and maintained his belief in God. He hopes to reconcile with his family and tell them his testimony. Hopes: “I want to be a man who is looking for peace. I want to study and help other vulnerable people who were like me.”

Paul Bizimana Age: 16 Family History: Paul was born in Tanzania into a large, polygamous family who struggled with poverty and alcoholism. Because their family was facing starvation Paul was sent to work, but the money he made was taken by his parents to buy alcohol. When Paul refused to work to support his parent’s alcoholism, he was chased away from his house and came to Rwanda where he became a houseboy. He began doing drugs, stealing, was fired from his job, and was then arrested. A street children’s program accepted Paul into their program, but because he was forced to do child labor, he decided to leave. In March 2009 Paul met HFL staff and came to HFL. Present Condition: “HFL is very different from other centers. I feel so happy because they taught us how to pray. I have a good life here at HFL. The thing that makes me the happiest is that I realize God’s power and I know Him now. I know that one day I’ll go to heaven.” Favorite Hobbies: “I love to study English and to play soccer.” Hopes: “I will go all around the world preaching the good news of God.”

Bosco Inshutiyase Estimated Age: 15 Family History: “I have a mom and a father. My family lives in poverty and has not gone to school. They don’t know how to read. They don’t cry out to Jesus. I left because my family abandoned me, and they couldn’t pay for my school fees. I wanted to go to school.”         HFLM pays for Bosco’s schooling at the Center for Champions where he lives during the school year. On his vacations he stays at the HFLM home. Even if his family was able to financially support him, he says he would rather go to school through the Center for Champions because the education there is a lot better, and it will offer him more opportunities in life. Present Condition: “I am happy now because I like Hope For Life, and I like studying at the Center for Champions.” Favorite Hobbies: “I like to study and to pray to God. Also, I like to play football.” Hopes: “I want to be a doctor.”

Claude Twagirimana Estimated Age: 15 Family History: “I only have a father. My father is not a good father. He drinks a lot, and he would beat me and sometimes tried to kill me. My sister is still at the home and another family gives her school fees so that she can study. I want to visit my family, but I don’t want to sleep there because I am scared of my dad and there is no food at my home.”         HFLM pays for Claude’s schooling at the Center for Champions, and provides a place for him to live over school vacation time. Present Condition: “I am happy. I like to be with the other boys at Hope For Life, and I am happy to receive support here.” Favorite Hobbies: “I like to play soccer and to be with other people.” Hopes: “I want to play football on the Rwandan National Team.”

Rachel Niyonsenga Age: 17 Family History: Rachel’s parents separated when she was young and her father stopped caring for his 10 children. Because Rachel’s mom wasn’t able to support 10 children on her own, she was forced to move to Kigali with her younger siblings. Rachel was the head of their household for approximately 2 years, supporting themselves from the earnings that her disabled brother Veterne earned from begging. When HFL discovered Veterne and Daniel and accepted them into their residential program, Rachel was left with no source of income. Thus, HFL now supports Rachel from her brother’s home, providing school fees and materials for her basic needs. Present Condition: “I am happy because since 2010, HFL provides for my school fees, materials, clothes and my other basic needs.” Favorite Hobbies: “I love music and playing soccer.” Hopes: “I want to study and to become a nurse in the future.”