a rwandan story

a young orphaned girl in a poor part of the world is given a great opportunity

You are exploring the stories section.

Z_ is an 11 year old Rwandan girl, living in a rural area where unemployment is high and most families live off subsistence farming. She has lost both her parents, unfortunately not uncommon in a country that was racked by genocide a decade ago, and where more than a tenth of the population is infected with the AIDS virus.

Z and her sister are being brought up by their grandmother, who is not well and struggles to provide their needs on a low income. Fortunately, an international aid organisation has arranged sponsorship for Z, which provides health care and education that give her hope of a productive life.

Z is therefore able to attend a student centre every day (in addition to attending primary school) to receive supplementary education and tuition, vocational training when she is older, meals and health checks, join in games and activities and gain social skills. The centre also provides religious education and check-ups by a social worker. Z enjoys simple games, sings in the church choir, and works carrying water, gathering firewood and helping in the kitchen.

There is a real hope that Z can grow to be a responsible and self sufficient member of society and contribute to the future prosperity and life of her area and the nation.

links