::  Returnee Orphans  

   There has always been in Rwanda since 1994, a large group of young people who had been orphaned or lost support during their period in exile due to wars in D. R. Congo since 1994 and in Uganda since 1980s. These have always found themselves back into their country with others, but their vulnerability was little known.   They lack shelter, food, education and other basic needs. In addition, they have little knowledge of the new environment, culture and the local language (“Kinyarwanda”). They are usually characterised by a state of confusion, fear, distress and behavioural difficulties. They are usually victims of exploitation, poor guidance by adults and other dangers.

   About 1 million of rwandan  people had lost life in the horrible Genocide of 1994,leaving behind them uncountable number of orphans . Most of these lost their parents, brothers, sisters and other close relatives in 1994. Now they support their young siblings , some of whom have disabilities. They usually lack the interest in education due to general deprivation, but more so because they have lost the motivation and hope. They lack all the basic needs such as shelter, correct feeding, clothing, health services etc…. Due to lack of proper parental support and emotional difficulties, they easily fall victims of street life, sexual and drug abuses and other associated behavioural or social evils.

Victims of the horrible Genocide of 1994 in Rwanda

   The Rwandan rural families and deprived communities in general are characterised by ignorance and poverty. This usually leads to polygamy, domestic conflicts and divorce; malnutrition and poor health, giving rise to low motivation and under achievement in school age children. The common results are the children who run out of their homes at young age to look for jobs in urban centres like Kigali and Butare as house workers; or as cheap labour in tea and sugar plantations; they are usually prey to early marriages, sexual and drug abuses; dangerous gangs at young age etc… 

Assist Rwanda Young Communitee of Musanze

    ASSIST-Rwanda is also aware that all the categorised vulnerable groups mentioned above are characterised by young people with disabilities owing to the experiences they have gone through. They usually have physical, sensory or emotional and social impairments. ASSIST-Rwanda (a.s.b.l.)  target them specifically, because they are among the Young Rwandan who are most marginalized and least provided for by the society.

  October  .20.2005

DECLARATIONS ON CHILD RIGHTS

   Assist

Rwanda