A group of 16 youngsters will showcase their acting ability on September 19 in a theatre project at the Roots Foundation, a rehabilitation centre in Batsinda, Kagugu, a Kigali suburb. 

The project kicked off four weeks ago and is made up of groups of children between 14 - 21 years. They write their story with the guidance of Belgian child psychologist Olivier Demets on how to prepare a script for the story, scenes, acting, the theme and message.

The stories will be about the background of the teenagers, the issues they have experienced in their families and on the streets. The plays are supposed to end with a message of hope for tomorrow no matter one’s past.

The project was started by Patrick Kiruhura, the founder of Root Foundation to explore the children's talents and give them a chance to tell their story.

According to Demets, this is a chance for youngsters to be creative and express themselves. "There are all sorts of initiatives for children in the country but most of them focus on basic needs like food health and shelter”.

"We hope this will help get them off the streets in their minds, it helps them be kids. They have heard stories and that's what goes on in their minds. Everything stays on the inside but once it is out, they can go on with their lives.”

And the children are reaping benefits from the project.

Bon Année Uwurukundo, a primary school pupil, said, "It's always been my talent, I started writing last year and this is a chance to grow my art, I now know more.