At the Embrace Centre, a shelter in the city of Bujumbura in Burundi, street children and children with disabilities find a safe place during the day. The shelter, affiliated to the local church Christian Life Ministries, pays school fees for twenty-five children and provides medical care, a daily meal, tutoring, sports, games and recreation. Driven by God's love and with personal attention to each child, the team guides them towards independence.
The story of Divine Uwimana
I come from the interior of Burundi. My father got another wife and so I got a stepmother. Where my mother is, I don't know. Things didn't work out with my stepmother. My uncle offered to take me to the big city and take care of me. This did not go well and I decided it was better to join a group of children living on the streets.
During that time, I saw relatives on the street looking for me, but I kept hiding. I no longer trusted people. On the street, I was hungry and very sad. That's when I came to Embrace.
Once at Embrace, I was encouraged to visit my family again. Someone went with me because I was quite excited! I was hugged by my father on arrival; he ran so fast when he saw me that we fell to the ground together! Haha! I am grateful to have seen my (half) brothers and half sister again. Since I have been attending primary school in Bujumbura for some time now, I will only visit my family during the holidays for now. Here I am very happy.
I am currently in grade 7 and hope to move to grade 8 after the summer holidays. I dream of being able to sew clothes and thus be able to open my own feet. Three times a week I go to Bravo ministries, where I get to learn to sew, outside my school time.
My life has changed a lot since I belong to Embrace. I have become calmer and got to know the Lord Jesus (I am in a choir and got my own Bible!). I have gained hope for the future!
Would you like to support this project? Read more and donate on the project page Reception centre for street children in Burundi.
