As is customary, the Diocese of Cyangugu organized a banquet for former street children who have been reintegrated into schools. Among them, 36 received the sacraments of initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist, during the Eucharistic celebration. The event’s theme was: “Every Child Deserves the Joy of Christmas.”
A Long-Term Commitment of the Catholic Diocese of Cyangugu
Through its Education and Family Commissions, the Catholic Diocese of Cyangugu has been committed for several years to helping these children reintegrate into family and school life.
Indeed, the local Church of Cyangugu, with a mother’s heart, listened to the cries of anguish from street children: some are orphans, come from very poor families, and lack the means of subsistence due to poverty, family conflicts, mothers involved in prostitution, and inhumane living conditions: sleeping under bridges, crime, juvenile prostitution, etc.
The diocese has established a suitable pastoral program for these children, which essentially consists of:
• Listening to them and helping them heal emotionally
• Reintegrating them into schools
• Finding foster families for those who do not have them
• Organizing regular support sessions
• Providing parallel support to their families for those who have them.
A clear sky open to street children: some testimonies
“My life has taken a new direction”
“On the street, I committed crimes: theft, violence, drug trafficking and use, etc. For now, the diocese has reintegrated me into school. I will soon finish primary school with excellent results.”
“I didn’t receive a good upbringing at home. My mother was a prostitute. I found myself on the street at the age of 6. I had to fend for myself in everything. I spent the night under bridges. I was hopeless with life. After three years of wandering, the diocese found me a foster family and put me in school. At the same time, a psychologist from the diocese is helping me heal from my trauma. I am finding meaning in my life again.”
The Diocese of Cyangugu stands with these children:
In our region, there are quite a few street children. The diocese is committed to helping them. 637 children have now been identified, reintegrated into school, and are receiving psychological support. Others are waiting. The diocese plans to build a rehabilitation center. Currently, a meeting room is already under construction thanks to funding from a benefactor. We await God’s providence for other necessary facilities for the center.
In this humanitarian effort, two religious congregations are working alongside the diocesan commission for families and children: the Pallottine Sisters, the Missionaries of Charity (known as the Sisters of Calcutta).
A Message of Encouragement
As Christmas approaches, the diocese organizes a Christmas banquet for former street children. This year, there were approximately 500 attendees. Political and military authorities were also present.
In his address, the Bishop urged the children on their path to conversion to persevere in this new life. He assured them that the diocese would do everything possible to support them on this journey.
The representative of the political authorities, the deputy mayor in charge of social affairs for the Rusizi district, thanked the diocese for its invaluable work with vulnerable people and promised the support of the Rusizi district.
Collected by Fr Siméon Rwabugiri