Children are the leaders of tomorrow. They are the future. That is why 40-year-old Francoise Mukamana, a widow and mother of two children decided to take on two abandoned children like her own.

She believes it is the responsibility of society to take care of children who are abandoned for whatever reason.

Mukamana lives in Nyagatovu in Bugesera District and is currently raising two abandoned children, Kwizera, 10 and Nkunzabo, a two- month-old baby.

How she met the children

"I found Kwizera on the street near Mwogo Sector. It is eight months since I brought him to my home. He previously lived in very poor conditions. I saw him a couple of times, even in the rain, and that is when I realised that he had no home,” she says.

When Mukamana finally spoke to Kwizera, she asked him where his parents were, but he did not respond. She, thereafter, asked people nearby about him.

"Children who occasionally saw him on the street provided information that Kwizera lived with his grandmother. I asked them to direct me to his grandmother’s house,” Mukamana says.

On reaching the house, Mukamana was told by the boy’s grandmother that he was abandoned by his mother at birth.

The boy’s grandmother explained to Mukamana that after her daughter had given birth to Kwizera, after a day or two, she abandoned him at her house, adding that she claimed she wouldn’t be able to take care of him.

Mukamana adds that the boy did not have any clothes (the ones he had on were ripped to shreds) and he seemed to suffer from ailments linked to poor sanitation and malnutrition.

"I chatted with the child and asked him if he was willing to go home with me. I promised to buy him clothes and give him food, and he accepted. I asked his grandmother if it was okay to help take care of him, and she agreed,” she says.

Two months ago, Mukamana found another child who was abandoned by the mother immediately after birth.

Mukamana explains that the mother left the child near her house; she found him around midnight after hearing him cry.

"I reported the case to the authorities the next day. The child was taken to hospital for a medical checkup. Authorities tried to find the mother but with no success,” Mukamana recalls.

It is alleged by locals that the mothers of most abandoned children in the area are sex workers.

Tough living conditions

Mukamana says things weren’t rosy for her because she also doesn’t have a stable source of income apart from the heart and will.

"I was formerly a street vendor selling foods but currently it is getting harder because I have to care for the kids. Sometimes, we sleep hungry,” she says.

Mukamana blames the sector for not fulfilling the promise they made to support her financially. However, that hasn’t raised thoughts in her head to also abandon the kids, and she works hard to look after them with the little she has.

"I love children. You never know what the child will be in the future. Caring for children is a big step towards cementing the future of the country. We should all strive to help these kids, no matter how little you have,’ Mukamana says.

Dancilla Ntawukurirayho, 49, also lives in Nyamata, Bugesera District, and she too has adopted an abandoned child.

Ntawukuriryayo explains that she found the child in a bush around 4pm as she was walking to a SACCO meeting in the village; it’s been two months since she got her.

"I heard a baby crying in the bushes. I immediately rushed there and found the child,” she says.

Ntawukuriryayo immediately reported the case and authorities came over to look into it.Thereafter, they took the child to ADEPR Hospital in Nyamata for medical attention.

"They tested the kid and she was alright.I went back home with her. I wish I had sufficient support to take care of her but if I leave her, what will happen to her?” Ntawukuriryayo asks.

She advises young ladies to be responsible and not abandon their children.

Callixte Mutabazi, a resident of Nyamata, says that caring for abandoned children is the noblest thing one can do. He says it also says a lot about your personality.

"These mothers raising children that are not theirs even under harsh conditions are doing a great job. We all should act as guardian angels for these children.These mothers do not have much themselves, they do it because they are compassionate,” Mutabazi says.

He also notes that the cases of abandoned children are mostly linked to the high number of young prostitutes in Nyamata.

"Young prostitutes wander around and when they get pregnant, they realise that they won’t be able to raise the child, so they abandon it,” he says.

Mutabazi advises young ladies to respect themselves and their parents and work towards a more promising future.

Local leaders speak out

Fred Rurangirwa, the executive secretary, Nyamata Sector, says that abandoning kids is an act of negligence and a lack of empathy.

He notes that the main cause is unwanted pregnancies and, the ignorance of many young women.

"No mother can throw her baby on the street. Such mothers are ignorant and heartless. You can always seek help or better methods, like legal adoption,” he says.

Rurangirwa explains that in the sector, they are searching for ‘guardian angels’ to care for the abandoned children reported every now and then. He adds that they are not against temporary foster homes.

He says that local leaders are conducting campaigns calling on people to fight the vice and, sensitise girls and young women on the effects of their actions.

Esperance Nyirasafari, the Minister for Gender and Family Promotion says that in collaboration with other entities, there are more mechanisms being put in place to tackle the issue.

She cites unwanted pregnancies, rape and/or defilement, as the main cause of abandoned babies adding that the issue of abandoning kids is criminal and once the suspect is found they face the law.

"When a woman gives birth to a baby, she has to care for it. The penalty is necessary but also, we must look at reasons why a woman who has carried a baby for 9 months can do such,” she says.

Nyirasafari says that there are women who have committed their lives to raising abandoned children.

"A great guardian should be brave, responsible, and of course with a good heart,” she says.

Nyirasafari explains that the government has chosen to put many kids in families (foster homes) instead of taking them to orphanages for better and more personal guidance.

"I advise young ladies to protect themselves and prevent unwanted pregnancies, among other risks associated with pre-marital risks,” she says.

She also encourages girls to take advantage of the opportunities around them and attend school.

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