Street children mesmerise guests with traditional music

Niyo Cultural Centre staged a thrilling performance at Goethe-Institut in Kigali, Thursday evening. The show was both a fundraiser and the launch of Adoption in the Distance, a drive aimed at adopting some of the street children.

Friday, March 13, 2015
Niyo cultural troupe performs at Goethe Institute on Thursday. (All photos by John Mbanda)

Niyo Cultural Centre staged a thrilling performance at Goethe-Institut in Kigali, Thursday evening.

The show was both a fundraiser and the launch of Adoption in the Distance, a drive aimed at adopting some of the street children.

Children from Niyo cultural centre perform at Goethe Institute on Thursday.

Pacifique Niyonsenga, the founder of Niyo Cultural Centre, said that street children are his brothers. "I lived their life for six years, but I got an opportunity to be a better person when a Canadian chose to adopt me,” he told The New Times.

Guests who turned up for the concert.

Niyonsenga urged society to perceive street kids as any other ordinary child. "Don’t imagine being a street child is a shame or a sin. Instead, look at those kids as normal kids who lack an opportunity to be better people,” said the former street child turned painter. He added that the kids should exploit every opportunity that comes their way and use it for their betterment.

Guests dance with the troupe.

Charlotte Binenaun, who was among the guests at the show, said seeing young kids putting up a great performance, was heartwarming. Started in 2012, the centre is comprised of 60 children from the ages of 4 to 20 and has an art gallery in Kacyiru. It depends on donations from well-wishers.