Jean Claude’s Story

Seventeen-year-old Jean Claude lives in Kigali, Rwanda. He is the head of his household, caring for his three younger sisters Eugenie, Consolata and Jacqueline.

“When my parents died I was left to care for my sisters. I had no way of supporting them. Some neighbours gave us food, but not enough to keep us alive, so I started begging. A friend then gave me a bicycle so that I could transport bags to earn enough to feed my sisters. I decided to take the bicycle to Uganda, to find work and send money to my sisters but it was not much.

Two years later, I got a letter from Eugenie, telling me that an organization called Hope and Homes for Children (HHC) was taking care of them, and asking me to come home. I was surprised to see how happy my sisters were. Alexandre, an HHC Social Worker, had been talking to my sisters to understand what support they needed. He asked me to stay in Rwanda, explaining that it was important for us to stay together as a family, as my sisters were vulnerable without an adult to care for them. I told him that I was worried that I would not be able to care for my family as I had nothing. I explained that I would like to be a farmer like my father; he told me that HHC would help me to do this.

I had a few more meetings with Alexandre, where he explained that HHC would be able to give me a loan so that I could set myself up as a farmer. He helped me to understand how to manage our household budget and how we could use our land to grow food. A few weeks later, with the help of HHC, I bought a cow and found a job which helped me to repay the loan. I have worked out that after a year my cow will produce 15 litres of milk a day, which I can sell along with the fertilizer it produces.

I never thought that I would be where I am today. My sisters are studying and I am progressing as a farmer. I’ve got a strong foundation to fight poverty and once we are able to support ourselves, our lives will still be enjoyable and full of hope, and HHC can help more families in need.”

Thembasila and Raul’s story

Thembasila, aged four, and her five-year-old brother, Raul, attend a Community Hub close to their home in Moretele, South Africa. With six other brothers and sisters, the entire family was cared for by their grandmother Elizabeth. When Elizabeth died in June last year, their eldest sister, Ibi, who is just 16 years old, became the head of the household.

Community members alerted us to the family’s situation and we immediately gave them food parcels, and assessed their long-term needs. Previously, Thembasila and Raul were cared for by their grandmother while their brothers and sisters went to school. But now, with no one to care for them, they would either be left at home alone or Ibi would have to give up school to care for them.

As part of our support for the family, we arranged for Thembasila and Raul to be enrolled in one of our Community Hubs. At the Hub the young children receive day care, regular health checks and a cooked meal. Additionally, they take part in play activities such as drawing and singing. With the two youngest children cared for during the day, the rest of the family are now able to continue with their education. One of our specially trained community volunteers also visits the family regularly. She helps with practical things like cooking and homework, as well as providing emotional support when things get tough.

Ibi will soon be leaving school and we will help her to find employment or establish her own small business so that the family will eventually be able to live independently of our support.

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