WESTERN PROVINCE

KIBUYE — He has never gone beyond the first position in class since he joined school.

Alno Harerimana is one of the many street kids who sleep on charcoal sacks in the Kibuye market premises and hardly get what to eat, but he has always beaten others in class, a position he vows to retain. "I love it whenever my fellow pupils come requesting me to teach them mathematics at school yet when they get me at the street no one bothers to greet me," he said. Brandishing his last term’s report form, Harerimana praised himself for his academic performance. Currently in primary four, the 9-year old boy lives a pathetic life on the street that many get touched by his ordeal though there is often less they can do. "We spend most of the evenings looking out for dumped sacks that act as our beddings," he says. Though Harerimana barely sleeps at night because of the cold weather and the mosquitoes, he wakes up in a learning mood. He does his homework very early in the morning because he has no light at night. His teachers are pleased of his performance.

"I am very surprised about this boy’s performance because according to his age and the life he passes through he wouldn’t be in school," said Mukabutera Florance his teacher.

Orphaned at four, Harerimana stayed with his maternal grand mother before being chased away because his late dad had not legally married and introduced his mother. "Leero mama wawe yari indaya …. [your mother was a prostitute] he quoted his grand mother to have told him. Since then he resorted to the street because he hardly knew any other relative. He didn’t immediately join school but he was later inspired. "What inspired me to join school is the fact that I would envy smart kids dressed in school uniforms," says Harerimana. Little did he know that he would be brighter than the kids who have all it takes to pursue their education.

After realising what he was missing, Harerimana approached a catholic father whose only name he recalls is Gilbert, who bought him school uniform and books for the start. "To me this was enough and it’s all I ever wanted." He carries baggage after school to get what to eat. "On a good working day I eat three mandazis and a cup of milk, he says. Harerimana leaves school quite early so as to fit his working schedule. "Sometimes I go without food and it really affects my health and my concentration in class," he claims. Even his teachers do simply recognize that he is from the street and lacks care, he added.

On several occasions, anyone who learns of his good performance and the talent of fine art that he has, willingly gives him at least Frw100. Other street kids have ended up impersonating Harerimana to get help. His name has become a trade mark. "One time a kid approached me saying ‘am Alno, can you help me," an old man claimed.

Although Harerimana’s grandmother heard that her grandson was performing well, he has no kind words. She reportedly said she appreciates his academic performance but the boy should never think of returning to stay with her. "I very much know he is my grandson but that doesn’t mean catering for his needs," the ground mother was quoted as saying. Recently the little boy reportedly fell sick and sought medical assistance for the grand mum but the elderly woman could not accompany the boy to a health centre.

"Despite all the odds, I will never quit school and I will maintain my first position because I know some day I will use my education to bail out street kids like me," Harerimana says.

Ends