Castro
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I was born and grew up in a small village near Mansa. I like school and games with my friends. We would often go to the bush to catch birds and other small animals. Playing football is my favorite game, I am good at it. My parents have a small field where I used to work with them and my siblings. I like it. Life in the village is nice, there is plenty of space and many things to do with your friends.
My parents were out in the fields when my uncle came from Lusaka. He told me that he has spoken with my parents and they agreed that I should go with him to Lusaka. He will take care of me and find me a better school, he said. I packed some of my clothes and left my home with him. I have never been to a big town before and was very happy to be going there. |
CASTRO:I wasn’t allowed to go out to play like other children, or even to go to the church on Sundays. Life became very hard. |
When we arrived in Lusaka things did not go well for me. At first, I was waiting for some time, hoping they will take me to school, as they promised. But instead, I was made to work almost all the time at home and in the small restaurant they have at the market. I had to fetch water early in the morning, sweep the house, and wash the clothes of my uncles and their children. I wasn’t allowed to go out to play like other children, or even to go to the church on Sundays. Life became very hard.
I kept asking my uncle when was he going to take me to school? He would always answer that they have no money and first I have to work for them. One day I was sent to buy cooking oil at the market. I was given some money for that. At that time life was very difficult and I was missing my parents and my village. I took the money and I never went back to my uncle’s place. I went to the bus station, but the money I had stolen wasn’t enough to buy the ticket, so I remained at the station with other boys who were already living there. After a few days, they took me to Social Welfare. I was afraid that the officers who are working there will take me back to my uncle, so I lied to them, that I am lost and want to go back to my village. They said they did not have money at this time and that they will take me to someplace where people will help me.
That was how I came to St. Lawrence Home of Hope.
I kept asking my uncle when was he going to take me to school? He would always answer that they have no money and first I have to work for them. One day I was sent to buy cooking oil at the market. I was given some money for that. At that time life was very difficult and I was missing my parents and my village. I took the money and I never went back to my uncle’s place. I went to the bus station, but the money I had stolen wasn’t enough to buy the ticket, so I remained at the station with other boys who were already living there. After a few days, they took me to Social Welfare. I was afraid that the officers who are working there will take me back to my uncle, so I lied to them, that I am lost and want to go back to my village. They said they did not have money at this time and that they will take me to someplace where people will help me.
That was how I came to St. Lawrence Home of Hope.