Pierre Nizeyimana
I am 9 years old and I have been living at FIDESCO for one year.
I do not know my father and my mother never told me about him. I used to live with my mother, but we were very poor. Each morning, I would get up early and try to go find some food that I could bring back to her and our family. I used to steal potatoes in a nearby field and take them home. I have two older brothers: Patrick and Fabrice. They also live on the streets, but sometimes they go home.
My mom has never had a regular job, but sometimes she would try to sell alcohol or drugs to make money for us. Then, she would give me the drugs to sell on the street. One day, I was caught by the police and taken to prison. After that, I decided I didn’t want to go home again and be forced to keep selling drugs. I went to live on the streets permanently. I have never been to school.
I am afraid of two things in the world: marijuana and my father. I want to change the way I have been living. I want to become a new person and be able to take care of my mother. Maybe I can become known as a great businessman in the future. If I had $30 USD now, I would buy pens and books so I could learn something.
Dear Pierre,
My name is Juwaireyah D. and this is for you. I am 7 years old. I go to Universal Charter School. I hope you will be able to go to school to learn like me. I am in the grade of second grade. I hope you can get a house like mine. I have two real sisters and two step sisters. Also I have two real brothers and two step brothers.
I chose to write to you because you have a sad story. Also because I feel bad that you have no home. How long were you in prison? When you wrote this story were you sad?
We have many things in common. Like we both have a older brother. Also something that we have in common is if I had 30 dollars I would also buy pens and books. One thing we don’t have in common is I have never been to prison or I have never been poor. What do you want to learn? Not just only dance but I want to learn everything. I don’t have to steal anything because I am not poor. I wish you a good life and I hope you can come here and see me.
Love,
Juwaireyah D.
Mighty Writers
Dear Juwaireyah D.
Hopefully you are doing OK, thanks for your comment on my story and Yes, i was sad when i wrote this story, it really makes me sad but now i know that i can take it and learn from it to be a better person.
I’m not really sure of what i would learn cause i have never been to school before but i like doing arts.
I pray that one day i or you visit and get to meet, i think that would be great.
thanks once again and i wish you all the best.
Pierre.
Dear Pierre Ngendananayo,
Hi my name is Serenity. I’m Italian and 10 years old. I live in Philadelphia in the USA. My school is called the Philly Free School. We can choose what we want to learn and do whatever we want to do. No one in our school or anywhere else can stop us from learning anything. I love my school.
I live with my mom and her boyfriend. I don’t have to steal or any of that other stuff. I like making art out of garbage for fun. My favorite food is cheese. Me and my mom love cheese. I also do karate as a sport. I do Tang Soo Do a type of Korean karate.
I chose to write about you becuase I am kind of interested in your way of life. I also feel kind of bad about how you have to live. Is the way you live any better now? How old are you right now? How and what was it like in prison? I am a very curious little girl.
I never really knew my father either. He left me and my mom when I was very little. My dad died a couple of years ago. I can relate to you, I bet have been through some hard times too. I love learning also. I like Math, Reading and Science. Like I said, I live with my mom and her boyfriend now. Life has gotten better for me and I hope life gets better for you too. Please write back…
Your Friend,
Serenity
Dear Serenity.
How are you doing? thanks so much for your comment on my story, and sorry dear for not knowing your dad and believe me i know how it feels like cause its almost the same story like me.
Thanks for sharing too, i like doing back flips as during dancing and i love dance and i thank God that i now have a teacher who directs me and teach me new things in dance and i really hope to be a better dancer.
Do you dance sometimes? what are you learning from school?
Well, i wish you a good life and i encourage you my friend to continue in school.
your Friend
Pierre.
It’s raelly great that people are sharing this information.