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About Samson
Location: VOH Burundi
Position at Village of Hope: Student and Resident
Been a part of Villages of Hope since: February 2010
Tell us a bit about your life before coming to Village of Hope…
I was born in 1993. Being an orphan in a family of 9 children – eight girls and me – all of us looked to our single parent mother for our livelihood.
Our mother was uneducated, trying to make ends meet through business. She had a container of 25lt of palm oil she divided and sold in small quantities to the neighbours. It was impossible to have meals for all of us, all we could afford when God blessed her business was one meal a day.
My sisters and I had no hope for a formal school, they managed to go as far as Primary, after that they would joined other trades, tailoring mostly.
I never expected to go beyond primary school, because even then I depended on piece work, helping in building, and taxi-velo (transporting people and goods by bicycle) to raise money to buy myself uniforms and school supplies because like my sisters I had no one to cover my school expenses.
I was without hope, without future, I did not know and see what tomorrow would look like. That was a really survival.
What is the story behind how you first came to know about Village of Hope?
As a young boy of 14, my parents attended a Seventh day Adventist church. My sisters were Christian and sang in the church, and when they heard my voice when they were singing they influenced me to follow them to church. Two years later I was attending church. I became a member of Burundi Assemblies of God, and through the church I came in contact with Village of Hope Burundi.
How has Village of Hope helped you?
Village of Hope has been a parent to me and managed to give me hope.
I now have a goal in life. They provided and still provide accommodation and food and VOH covers all of my tuitions and all school supplies. They also provide guidance and teaching, which are the foundation of my Christian and social life.
Any final words?
I am very thankful to Village of Hope for accepting me and bringing hope to my life. I consider this institution as a Good Samaritan who came to rescue a man beaten, and found half dead – they did not know me or share family and tribes, but still they saved my life.
Thank you very much Village of Hope and God bless the work you are doing!
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*Note: some edits have been made to this interview only for the purpose of translation and readability. No facts or details have been altered or removed.
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