If you are looking for an activity to occupy you this weekend, how about you purchase yourself this new book titled, The Sound of Silence, by Rwandan author Fred Mfuranzima.
The book, which is written in English, depicts harrowing stories of children surviving on the streets of Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, DR Congo, and refugees from Southern Sudan and Somalia in Kampala.
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The Sound of Silence illustrates unfiltered experiences, yet at the same time advocates for justice and the protection of children’s rights.
The book also sheds light on the plight of young girls who give birth to children on the streets, triggering the cycle of poverty.
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Mfuranzima excavates the struggles, pain, and mental health challenges encountered by these children.
Through heartfelt tales and conversations with these children, the book unravels the foul hardships they endure.
"Despite their difficult circumstances, I deeply explored the resilience and aspirations of these children, providing a glimpse into their future inspirations and endeavors,” Mfuranzima said.
He stressed that the book also serves as a heartbreaking and disclosure account of the often-overlooked lives of street children and the urgent need for attention and action to address their plight.
Mfuranzima hopes to use his book as a reminder to the community to take care of these vulnerable children and fight for their rights. Through heartfelt stories, the book champions for a brighter, safer future for every child.
The poetic author was inspired to write this book after traveling and realizing the alarming problem in neighboring countries.
"The suffering and resilience of street children in the Africa Great Lakes region, coupled with my passion for storytelling and activism, inspired me to write in order to illuminate struggles and the effects on the future of these countries.”
The author has traveled to regional countries, spending days under the Great Lakes Youth Innovation Lab for Peace (YouthLab) project, a 30-month initiative implemented in partnership with Never Again Rwanda (NAR), the Pole Institute and the Centre d’Alerte et Prevention des Conflits (CENAP) with an aim to provide a platform for young people in the Great Lakes to have dialogues and share a common voice for collective action as they engage policy makers to articulate their vision for peace in the region.
Mfuranzima explained that during his two visits to Burundi, Uganda, and the DR Congo, he dedicated eight months to immersing himself in the communities.
"I spent time talking to street children, caretakers, and community members, listening to their stories and experiences. These interactions provided me with deep insights into the challenges faced by these children and the communities responsible for their welfare,” he said.
It is this firsthand experience and direct interactions that provided him a foundation for his book.
A copy of The Sound of Silence can be purchased at $20, which is approximately Rwf24,587 though the author is looking forward to reducing the price to share the books in some schools and policy makers offices in Rwanda.
A copy of the book can be ordered through this email kigalibookslab@gmail.com and the online publication will be available soon on Amazon and different libraries in Kigali, Kampala, Bujumbura, and Goma.
Mfuranzima anticipates having a book tour and talking about the book as part of advocacy. He is a writer, artist, poet and peace activist and the mastermind of Imfura Heritage, a platform that promotes Rwandan art, literature, and peace activism.
The youngster uses arts and literature to inspire sustainable and inclusive peace, mental health, and development in Rwanda.
He has written books such as, "A letter from Tutsi hill, The Broken”, "Child, Rwanda is Poetry”, "A Sister’s Left Shoe”, "A speech Demanding Future”, "Beyond Borders of Chuki”, "Dreams to Find Another World”, and others.