A Story of Hope: Kuda's Story

I was born on the 5th of July, 2000 in Chivhu, Zimbabwe. My mother died when I was 3 years and my father died when my mother was pregnant so I never knew him. My mother’s relatives refused to stay with me and that is when life became difficult for me. My mother’s young sister took me and looked after me in 2004 when I was four years old. Her husband said this is not my son take him to the relatives of his father. As a result, I was taken to my grandfather and grandmother who started to abuse me. They left me without food and hid food from me. I would go to school without food and would not have anything to eat. My mom's sister would send money for school fees, my grandfather took it, got drunk and started to abuse me. They used to beat me always. I had no clothes, food or school fees. When I made a mistake or had done nothing, they always said to me “go to the grave and tell your parents”. Although life was difficult my teacher helped me with food and clothes and even accommodation after my grandfather got drunk and kicked me out of the house saying “go to the graves and wake up your father and mother to help you”. As a result, I used to cry but my friend would help me with food at school. I learnt that when life becomes harder God will not leave us though we are sinners. My two brothers, however, were helped by some neighbors to complete their ordinary level (grade 10) by working for them. For me it was difficult to go and work and get money for school because I was still young. Beam, a government program which assists orphans with school fees, paid my fees for me from grade 1 to grade 4 because I came second in class. Beam would help a child for only four years. I completed grade 4 and I became a cowboy for some time. In 2012 when I was 12 years old life became so difficult that I decided to find a job and look for my real relatives. I used to hear that there are some jobs in Harare. I walked from Chivhu to Harare about 250 km on foot. It took me 3 days to arrive in Harare. It was my first time being in Harare. I saw some other children on the street and they asked me to join them. They showed where they lived and how to get food. My life was now a bit better. I stayed in the street for 2 years. In the street I went to Presbyterian school from grade 5 and grade 6 and the school was closed due to financial problems. When the school was closed, I became miserable. I met Mai Mabhau who offered to assist me with school fees. After two days I was sent back home to our rural area to continue with my education. I started grade 7 in the rural areas. Some children would laugh at me and say “you are a street kid” but I focused on my studies and ignored them. I managed to write my grade 7 exams and had 12 units. After sometime the whole village knew that I was a street kid. I was out of place and lost hope, and ran away from the rural areas and back into the street In the street my friends introduced me to Sister Tatenda who took me from the street and is looking after me. I stay with my brothers now who were once my friends in the street. Sister Tatenda and Uncle Jerry are helping us now and we are safe and nothing is wrong. God is great and He has changed my life. Now I am going to school, I am in form one and am performing well in school. I want to thank God, Sister Tatenda and Uncle Jerry.