Roots and wings

Jeremie Olivier, a communications officer with World Vision International's Advocacy and Justice for Children group, writes about time spend recently in the DRC, and the people he met while there.  

As I met with children in northeast Democratic Republic of Congo last month while on a short-term secondment, a quote kept coming to mind: “There are only two lasting bequests we can hope to give to our children. One of these is roots, the other wings.” This quote from Henry Ward Beecher, a clergy man known for supporting the abolition of slavery is particularly meaningful to me as a parent.

I learned that 17-year-old Zawadi was born into extreme poverty, with barely enough food to eat and unable to afford a single piece of clothing. Without an education, she was looking for a way to get out of her situation.

Without any roots and wings to fly, she left home on a path that would bring her three years of hell.

Four years ago, Zawadi faced a choice no child should ever be faced with. She could continue living this life of misery, or join one of the too many “maison d’intolérance” in her hometown of Beni, where she would become a prostitute and earn some money.

Without any roots and wings to fly, she left home on a path that would bring her three years of hell. Who could blame her? Certainly not I, as I sat speechless and moved as I listened to her story told with a surprising strength. Her hope of a better life quickly disappeared before her eyes as drugs, abuse, depravation and suffering entered into her daily life.

One year ago, World Vision workers met Zawadi and convinced her to join the Rebound project, which helps former prostitutes and former child soldiers. After much psycho-social therapy, Zawadi told me she has been able to heal most of her wounds.

When it was time to decide which basic skills she wanted to learn through the programme, Zawadi chose the hardest way again – but this time with more security that it would truly improve her life. She wanted to learn mechanics, a trade usually reserved for men. In doing that work, she found her true passion. In fact, the garage owner teaching these children told me that she was by far the hardest working student he had seen.

Zawadi decided to give her life another chance. With World Vision’s support, she is starting to put down roots. She also wants to fly, dreaming that one day she will own a garage and teach young victims about mechanics.

Gilbert is a former child soldier. At the age of 13, he felt desperate and decided to join a rebel group. He stayed with that group for four years. At age 17, he was freed and joined World Vision's Rebound program. He received psychological help and learned basic skills in mechanics. With the money earned, he was able to open his own drugstore and buy a land to cultivate. Gilbert is forever grateful for the help received through this program. It saved his life. 

I believe that when children start to dream again, this is when they allow their wings to grow. I also believe that it is our duty, as adults, to look around for children without any roots or wings and provide them with the opportunity to one day learn to fly.