Egide Gatsinzi
Nickname: “The School Boy”
Age: 15 years
Time at FIDESCO: 4 years
Egide used to live with both of his parents, but they fought on a daily basis. They divorced, but life became even harder then. He lived with his mom, who couldn’t take care of the children. Egide was never able to find food, so he left home for the streets. This was a hard way of life, where he needed to scavenge in order to survive.
Egide started going to FidesCo where they served him porridge. He was one of the first boys ever at FidesCo, having come in 2009. There, he shared his story with the staff. FidesCo saw that Egide was highly capable and started sending him to school. He is only one of two children at FidesCo who has been afforded the chance to go to day school while living there.
When Egide was in the Third Grade of Primary School, FidesCo found a family to adopt him, but the family did not take good care of him. They were cruel – verbally abusing him by saying horrible things about his mother. He left the family and went back onto the street for three months.
Then, FidesCo found Egide and asked him to come back to the Center. He went back to school and managed to complete Fourth Grade and Fifth Grade. FidesCo took Egide to his uncle, but he had problems with that family as well and was forced to return to FidesCo.
Egide would like to live an easy, simple life, without many disturbances. He has many dreams. He wants to help other poor people, specifically other boys because of his own past.
He loves his mom the most. Second, he loves his girlfriend. (Actually, he doesn’t have one yet, but when he does, he’ll love her a lot, he tells us!). He is now ranked #10 out of a class of 45. He used to be #1, but recently, his difficult situation has been distracting him again and he cannot focus. Life continues to be a struggle for him.
Egide’s favorite subjects are Sociology and Social Studies. He is learning complex things at school and really impressing his teachers. RDDC wants to help Egide leave FidesCo and attend boarding school so that he might finally have a safe place to sleep and can focus on his studies, thereby building the future of his dreams.
In the words of Egide…
“When I grow up, I want to become one of two things: a singer or a minister. If I had $30 USD,I would like to buy a t-shirt and a pair of shoes for myself. Thank you so much for thinking about me.”
Dear African people,
My birthday is March 27. I am turning 7. I go to alot of hotels with my family. I like to go the Beach. Do you have earthquakes? Do you have milk?
Your Friend,
Katelyn
Mighty Writers
Dear Egide,
I am a 11 years old on April 27. And I live in Philadelphia. I feel bad for you from all your experiences. My favorite color is pink. I would like to be a singer when I am older. I wear glasses.
I was wondering what you stole when you were a thief. I have been to Ghana and another thing I was wondering was if your parents are still alive.
I hope things get better for you.
Sincerely,
Eli
Dear Egide,
I am a 11 years old on April 27. And I live in Philadelphia. I feel bad for you from all your experiences. My favorite color is pink. I would like to be a singer when I am older. I wear glasses.
I was wondering what you stole when you were a thief. I have been to Ghana and another thing I was wondering was if your parents are still alive.
I hope things get better for you!
Sincerely,
Eli