Rwanda Radio Project for Orphans

Musanze District is renowned for its mountain gorillas, making it the most popular tourist destination in the country. Against the backdrop of the majestic Virunga chain of volcanoes, scattered across the hills below are thousands of destitute children struggling to survive on their own with no adults to care for them.

Blandine, 15-year-old girl in a household (she is not the head of her household) – She felt completely alone and isolated before having a radio. She used to sit alone in and around her house, and not mix with anyone from the community. She has three siblings and now listens to the radio with them and other people from the community. The radio has helped change her behaviour and taught her to be social and interact with people from the community.

Bosco, 14-year-old boy head of household – He has a younger sister and is responsible for taking care of her. Earlier, when they did not own a radio, they felt as if they were entering a black hole when they came home in the evening, as their house had no electricity and was isolated from their neighbours. Now that their house has a radio, he and his sister feel that they live like most other people in their community. The radio has given their house a new life.

Valentine, 14-year-old girl head of household – She used to think that people only get infected with HIV/AIDS during sex; but after listening to different health programmes on the radio, she has realised that there are other ways of contracting the disease. Through the radio she has also learned to take her education seriously and to follow her classes in school. Some of her neighbours pay their school fees but do not go to class, as they do not realise the importance of education; but unlike them, she does.

Ndagiwenimama, 13-year-boy, not the head of his household – He lives with his elder sister. When his sister was not at home, he used to feel lonely; but now that they have a radio at home, it gives him company and he does not feel alone. He is very happy with the radio.

Proper, 20-year-old boy head of household – He lives alone, and does not have anyone to talk to at home. Now that he owns a radio, he feels like he has friends in his house. Through programmes on the radio, he has learnt about bad behaviour and people acquiring bad habits. He has now learnt not to do these things and to behave properly.

Valence, 14-year-old boy head of household – The radio is important for him because it eases his isolation. Programmes on the radio have helped him learn things, answer questions in class and to feel more confident about himself.