Former street child inspires life through art

Pacifique Niyonsenga, a former street child who spent six miserable years on the streets of Kigali, is determined to transform the lives of street children by equipping them with the necessary skills to survive. Through Niyo Cultural Centre, which he founded in April 2012, Niyonsenga provides basic needs such as, accommodation and education to children he picks from the street. On October 31, Niyonsenga launched an arts exhibition dubbed, “Work in Progress” at the Goethe Institute, where he showed original art pieces he created alongside his co-worker Betrand Ishimwe. The opening ceremony was spectacular as the street children under his care, delivered an amazing traditional performance, alongside Gakondo troupe. The three-day exhibition ended yesterday, November 4. The money collected from these performances and the sales from his paintings go to pay school fees and other requirements for the street children. Ishimwe told The New Times that the centre has 60 children under its care. “Some of these children are former street children, while others have parents who cannot meet their requirements, like food and tuition fees. We train them in dance and drama and the proceeds from concerts go to the welfare and educational needs of street children,” he added. Through Niyonsenga’s dedication, some of these children have managed to gain confidence and most importantly, skills which will carry them further in life.

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Former street child inspires life through art