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| Evelyne at the SOS Village in Rutana, Burundi. |
SOS Story: Baby Evelyne spent the first three months of life behind bars in a Burundi prison. When her incarcerated mother died, Evelyne was sent to her grandmother, who lived in a camp for internally displaced people. Life there was harsh. Instead of finding love, the small girl met only hostility. Her grandmother treated her like a servant rather than a young child.
Years later, a kind woman who felt sorry for Evelyne got her away from her grandmother and cared for her well. Seeking a better life for Evelyne, the caregiver turned to SOS Children’s Village in Rutana, which accepted the unfortunate girl with open arms.
Evelyne’s hard, short life had left her withdrawn. Lacking confidence and self-esteem, she wouldn’t interact with her SOS siblings. She hid in the kitchen, where she helped with the housework. She would not play. Above all, she had an inferiority complex about her looks, because other children had once nicknamed her Rutwe (big head).
Loving SOS Staff Turned Her World Around
At SOS-Rutana, Evelyne’s SOS Mother and the other staff were determined to help her gain confidence.
Her SOS Mother talked to her a lot. She showed her how valuable she was as a human being and how much she deserved a good life. Slowly but steadily, Evelyne started loving her home and the other children. She became involved in the traditional dancers' club. And she enjoyed watching TV and being with her SOS brothers and sisters, playing and chatting.
At the same time, Evelyne started enjoying school. She had to repeat first grade twice. But once SOS provided her with a support teacher, she never had to repeat another grade.
Today Evelyne is a friendly and lovable fourteen-year-old. Once a despondent little girl, she is confident and happy. She has a strong personality. She feels loved and, at the same time, loves her SOS family -- brothers, sisters, and mother.
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| SOS provides loving homes and families to children through five Children's Villages in Burundi. |
Providing SOS-Family-Based Security and Self-Worth
SOS gave Evelyne a sense of belonging, which allowed her to build valuable family relationships. These, in turn, gave her a sense of security.
SOS has been providing vulnerable children in Burundi a second chance at life for more than three decades. Endless political and ethnic conflict in that small country, tucked between the People’s Republic of Congo and Tanzania, has contributed to extreme poverty and child suffering.
You can help provide the gift of love to more children like Evelyne who are in need of a caring family and sense of belonging.