“My only dream when I was living on the dump was to be able to go to school.”
When Comfort Rwanda first met Emmanuel in July 2017, he was living on a rubbish dump, scavenging for food and sleeping wherever he could find shelter.
Emmanuel has both parents, but his home life was far from safe. His father would often leave home and return drunk, and Emmanuel experienced regular physical beatings. Eventually, he left home and began relying on the dump as a place to live.
In Emmanuel’s words, “the dump felt safer than home.”
Life there was incredibly difficult. He had to sleep under plastic bags and search through the rubbish for food. Yet, despite these circumstances, Emmanuel still found moments of happiness — especially playing football with other children living on the dump.
Through Comfort Rwanda’s Street Kids Rescue Programme, Emmanuel was given something he had never experienced before: the opportunity to go to school.
The programme provides vulnerable children like Emmanuel with safe and stable accommodation, regular nutritious food, access to healthcare and education — creating the stability they need to begin rebuilding their lives.
For Emmanuel, education was more than an opportunity. It was his dream.
“I had never been to school before until I became part of the project. Now I am able to attend school and it is great.”
Today, Emmanuel is learning subjects including Mathematics, Science, French, English, Social Studies and Religion. He is also learning from the other children around him and developing confidence in his own abilities.
“My only dream when I was living on the dump was to be able to go to school and get an education. Now I can do that, thanks to you!”
Emmanuel’s transformation isn’t only academic.
He has become a positive influence among his friends and helps lead them in prayer during the weekend programmes. His Christian faith has become an important part of his life and is encouraging the team at Comfort Rwanda.
His favourite Kinyarwanda word is gusenga, meaning to pray.
“I like this word because prayer is an important part of my life and helps me stay close to God.”
He also values ubwenge, meaning wisdom, because, as he explains, wisdom helps people make good decisions and live meaningful lives.
Emmanuel says that his mother is the person he admires most. Her hard work, discipline and commitment to prayer have inspired him to work hard at school and in his daily life.
Emmanuel’s story shows what can happen when a child who has been living in extremely vulnerable circumstances is given safety, stability and opportunity.
The Street Kids Rescue Programme didn’t simply give Emmanuel somewhere to stay.
It gave him access to school.
It gave him regular food and healthcare.
It gave him a safe environment.
It gave him encouragement and community.
And, perhaps most importantly, it gave him the chance to dream about his future.
The hope is that, with continued support, Emmanuel can continue his education, develop his talents and eventually build an independent and fulfilling life.
From sleeping under plastic bags on a rubbish dump to sitting in a classroom — Emmanuel’s journey shows the difference that a safe place, a helping hand and an opportunity can make.
And this is exactly why the Comfort Transformation Centre matters.
For children like Emmanuel, a safe home can be the beginning of a completely different future.