An excerpt from a story written by one student about another:
“He had no money so he could not purchase a (train) ticket (to get to the city away from his abusive step-father) and so the only way for him to travel without being noticed was for him to hide in the toilet. Life was tough in this city and he feared being found by family so he decided to come to Bulawayo, again by train. He says he was all alone in Bulawayo and was frightened to sleep on the street so he decided the only way he could get some sleep was to catch the train back and forth from (the city) Harare, again locking himself in the toilet. A regular conductor soon noticed that he was traveling frequently and so he stopped catching the train and began his “street life” in Bulawayo . . . When he came back to Bulawayo he could not find any of the boys (from the streets) he had known before. When he asked around the only information he got was that they had gone with someone from Our Neighbours. It was then that he used to hang around a local take-away (restaurant) where he would be given food by people passing through. One day he went away from there and when he came back the vendors told him that someone had come to look for him and left a message to go to the church ....." (He soon moved in to Northend house, a home for children who formally lived on the streets that provides care and support in a family environment)
"... I like to live in Northend because there we are being taught things for life. I have learnt many things, especially things about Jesus and the most important lesson is that we must fear God and not any man. In life I have learnt not to run away from my problems and also to respect my elders"
* A process of family tracing occurs through the Social Welfare Department. Wherever possible Our Neighbours endeavors to reunite children with their immediate or extended families. Sometimes however, this is not possible or not in the best interest of the child.
“He had no money so he could not purchase a (train) ticket (to get to the city away from his abusive step-father) and so the only way for him to travel without being noticed was for him to hide in the toilet. Life was tough in this city and he feared being found by family so he decided to come to Bulawayo, again by train. He says he was all alone in Bulawayo and was frightened to sleep on the street so he decided the only way he could get some sleep was to catch the train back and forth from (the city) Harare, again locking himself in the toilet. A regular conductor soon noticed that he was traveling frequently and so he stopped catching the train and began his “street life” in Bulawayo . . . When he came back to Bulawayo he could not find any of the boys (from the streets) he had known before. When he asked around the only information he got was that they had gone with someone from Our Neighbours. It was then that he used to hang around a local take-away (restaurant) where he would be given food by people passing through. One day he went away from there and when he came back the vendors told him that someone had come to look for him and left a message to go to the church ....." (He soon moved in to Northend house, a home for children who formally lived on the streets that provides care and support in a family environment)
"... I like to live in Northend because there we are being taught things for life. I have learnt many things, especially things about Jesus and the most important lesson is that we must fear God and not any man. In life I have learnt not to run away from my problems and also to respect my elders"
* A process of family tracing occurs through the Social Welfare Department. Wherever possible Our Neighbours endeavors to reunite children with their immediate or extended families. Sometimes however, this is not possible or not in the best interest of the child.
More stories from our students are on their way! Check back soon.