From Despair to Hope: N.'s Journey of Healing, Education, and a New Family

N.'s story begins in Kagugu, Kinyinya, where she now lives with a loving host family through the support of Root Foundation. Although the family already had seven children when she joined them, they welcomed her as one of their own.

N. is full of life. She loves singing, dancing, and laughing. She dreams of becoming a pilot one day so she can travel the world. Above all, she hopes to become a caring mother who gives her future children the love she never received. To protect her future, we have chosen not to reveal her full identity.

A Childhood Without Love

"My life has been filled with sadness," N. recalls.

She was born while her mother was still in secondary school and never knew her biological father. Her mother struggled with alcohol addiction and spent many nights in clubs. Instead of love and care, N. experienced neglect, rejection, and physical abuse.

Her mother cared for another child born later but continuously rejected N., leaving her asking the painful question:

"Why doesn't my own mother love me?"

The emotional wounds grew deeper as the years passed.

Losing Hope

While in Primary Four, her mother forced her to leave school and become a house helper.

Without education, encouragement, or affection, N. began believing she had no value.

She attempted suicide multiple times, first by poisoning herself and later by hanging herself. Fortunately, each attempt was interrupted before it was too late.

Trying to escape the emotional pain, she turned to alcohol and drugs at a very young age.

Instead of finding peace, her suffering only increased.

Life on the Streets

At only 13 years old, N. left home.

She survived through dangerous street jobs and, at one point, considered selling her body simply to stay alive. Eventually, she reached the Rwanda-Burundi border, hoping to escape everything behind her.

Instead, she was stopped.

Feeling rejected by everyone—including God—she sank even deeper into despair.

A Second Chance

Everything changed when she met a compassionate Rwandan police officer.

After hearing her story, the officer helped her return to Rwanda, where she was placed with a host family and given another opportunity to attend school.

Although this was a new beginning, years of trauma made it difficult for N. to trust others or value education. Eventually, she returned to her biological family, hoping things had changed.

Sadly, they had not.

Her mother rejected her once again.

Living With HIV and Facing Stigma

N. was born with HIV.

Instead of receiving understanding and compassion, she often experienced discrimination. Several families refused to care for her after learning about her health condition.

Some even feared she would die in their home.

The rejection reopened old emotional wounds and pushed her back onto the streets.

Meeting Root Foundation

Hope returned when Patrick introduced N. to Root Foundation.

The organization welcomed her, supported her education, and began helping her rebuild her confidence.

Although she was quiet and withdrawn at first, patient care and consistent support gradually helped her heal.

During this time, she also met her friend Martine.

After hearing N.'s story, Martine spoke with her parents, who decided to open their home to her.

A Family Built on Love

Martine's mother remembers telling N.:

"What we eat is what you will eat. What we wear is what you will wear. You are part of our family."

The family encouraged her to continue her education, helped her attend medical appointments, reminded her to take her HIV medication, and supported her spiritual growth by inviting her to church.

Her foster father, who had also lost his parents when he was young, immediately understood her pain.

"I would never say she is not my child," he says. "I want her to have a happy life and forget the painful memories of her past."

Today, N. finally experiences what every child deserves:

• Love
• Safety
• Education
• Acceptance
• Hope

Looking Toward the Future

N. now studies with confidence and dreams of becoming a pilot.

She no longer defines herself by her past.

Instead, she chooses hope.

When asked what she would say if she met her biological mother again, she answered quietly:

"I would forgive her. I would look her in the eyes and say, 'The bad things you wished for me didn't succeed. See, I am better than you are.'"

Those words reflect not revenge, but resilience.

Root Foundation: Transforming Lives Through Love

N.'s story reminds us that every child deserves safety, education, and unconditional love.

At Root Foundation, we believe no child should be defined by their past. Through education, mentorship, healthcare support, and loving families, vulnerable children can rediscover hope and build brighter futures.

Together, we can transform lives—one child at a time.