Eric Mugiraneza
I am 15 years old now. Before coming to FIDESCO, I lived on the streets, but I do not know how long I was there. I just remember that I kept trying to escape the police because, if they catch you on the street, you go to The Camp of Transition and you get beaten.
Both my parents died. I really loved my parents. My father was sick, and two months after he died, my mother also died. I had gone to try and find some food for her, but when I came back home after three days, I saw she was already dead. Cockroaches were eating her body. Some people in the area put a tarp over her body and we put her body into a hole in the ground.
After that, I went to live with my grandmother, but my father-in-law lived there too and he tortured me. I left that place and some kids told me that I could make money while living on the streets in Kigali, so I tried that lifestyle until I came to FIDESCO. Since I came here, I have stopped taking drugs, smoking and stealing. I am afraid of death and becoming homeless again.
I want to dance. For me, that is the #1 thing. I want to become a professional dancer and then I could help teach others to dance too. After dance, I want to learn about computers and I want to study at school if it is possible.
You can watch the old interview of Eric here.
Dear, Eric
I am Suaad. I like to write, read, and to do lots of other things. I have 9 brothers and sisters all together. I love my little cat Beatrice. I am 9 years old. I go to UICS that is my school. What I want to know is who is your best friend? And who do you respect the most? We are alike because we want to learn more about computers. We are different because I am a girl and because you are a boy. It was nice writing to you.
Love Suaad your friendly pen pal
Hello Suaad.
Thanks for writing to me!
Well, my best friend is God and i depend on Him in everything and him only i can trust and i respect Him first then my teachers.
Yes i do want to learn more about computer and i am happy that we have that in common. i like dancing, How about you?
Thanks my Friend and may God bless you!
Eric.