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Christmas angel from Kamenge (sold out) |
We founded a girls' home in April 2005 in the poverty-stricken area of Kamenge on the outskirts of Bujumbura. The girls' home is now home to 30 young women and their babies. It is really children with children who have found refuge here, since the young mothers are aged between just 14 and 20 years old. Before finding shelter in our home, all of these girls lived with their babies on the street. They have all had horrific experiences and most were the victims of sexual abuse and became pregnant as a result. Some of them were kidnapped by rebels and, as child soldiers, served the commanders as substitute wives, workers and sex slaves.
The home is much more than just a roof over the heads of its residents. It is a place where they can feel safe and secure and find themselves again. Apart from receiving medical care and food, the girls can also go to school or receive training as a seamstress. They can learn additional skills from an embroidery and needlework teacher. The girls also have the option of taking out extremely small loans to enable them to "start again" and re-establish an independent existence.
The aim is to give these girls and their children a new chance in life and renewed courage. It is to support them on their path towards independence so that they are able to stand on their own two feet sometime in the future.
A small day-care has been integrated with the girls' home, and it is attended by 40 children from the surrounding area. The aim is to provide assistance to neighbouring families as well, rather than creating a "secluded island", which might give rise to jealousy and even hatred. This ensures that our home and the girls are accepted.