Mahoro Antoine is a gentleman of 25 years old and was born in Bujumbura Province, Kanyosha Commune. Like many other children in Burundi of his generation, he grew up facing insecurity, lack of electricity, lack of proper water, extreme poverty in the family and rejection. He particularly was an “unwanted child” who was given birth by a single mother. Her mother was obliged to raise him on her own and Antoine has never been welcome to his mother’s family.
Despite a dark childhood, an unsupportive environment, and many socio-economic barriers, Antoine managed to attend school and has performed well in his studies. As he grew up, the hate from his mother’s family members kept on increasing. He has seen himself beaten several times for no reason. Tears and fights became his daily bread. Distress and afflictions became his best friends.
One day, attending a TCA Youth Talk, he listened with great attention to the testimony of one of the motivational speakers. He was so moved by the message. ‘‘On that day, I was full of anger and hate towards my father’s family because they rejected me, and my mother’s family for threatening me every day. With the Youth Talk, I realized that all great people experienced hard circumstances and that I was not the only one. Hence, I made a step forward and decided to be coached. Today, my life has been transformed and my testimony has been helping and encouraging other young people in distress and rejection.’, he testified.
Antoine is among eighty young people who learned personal development skills, 21st-century skills, English, and youth opportunities offered through our educational program. He was. Like others, he benefits from a free coaching program and started applying for different opportunities available for young emerging leaders. He has already been selected and attended the YALI East Africa Program.
Moreover, Antoine has already traveled to Tanzania and Rwanda for youth events that keep shaping him into a leader eager to discover and undercover his destiny. He was trained in developing bankable business plans with a particular focus on the economic empowerment of women and girls for peacebuilding in Burundi. He already got some funds from the Burundi Youth Investment Bank to implement his agricultural project.
After overcoming his fears, Antoine is now very confident and no longer threatened by his family. He has developed a positive view of things and grown into a dynamic young man who pushed to leave “being a family burden” to “being a source of blessing” for his family, environment, and country in Burundi.