When Joseph’s mother became pregnant with him it was a terrible situation. His mother wanted to live far from him and her family. Joseph disgusted her; she never asked for him or sent anything (shoes, food, or clothing) to help support him. When he was just a baby she left him to live with his grandmother. Growing up Joseph’s life was hard because his grandmother had no way to take care him.

In 2008 his grandmother became ill and he had no one to take care of him, so he decided to find his mother. A local woman in the village saw Joseph and spoke with his mother about taking him back home. She accepted his return but his life was very difficult. His mother didn’t send him to school and mistreated him regularly.  Eventually one of his Uncles witnessed the mistreatment and paid for Joseph to attend school until he lost his job. Reluctantly, Joseph stopped attending school. He was very sad, depressed and had no friends. 

Two years after he stopped attending school Joseph was recruited into RFF’s sponsorship program. He was so excited! Now he has a child advocate, will be able to attend school again and make new friends. Joseph dreams of becoming a psychologist one day so he can help other children who are living in the same situation he was.

By: Frantso Sagesse, Child Advocate

If you are interested in sponsoring a child like Joseph, please visit our website at restavekfreedom.org/childsponsorship.