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Thirteen-year old Bonheur lives in a disadvantaged district of the city of Bukavu, in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Earlier this year he was upset to be housebound for a couple of months with a severe and painful leg infection. This meant that he was no longer able to take part in the activities of the Bukavu branch of Tapori, ATD Fourth World’s children’s network.

“You’re still one of us”

Bonheur has been an active member of Tapori since 2021. His sisters Rebecca and Furaha, and brothers Isaka, Baraka and Zawadi, are also members. Bonheur’s infectious enthusiasm is important to the group, helping to create a welcoming atmosphere and reducing any tensions. His sense of humour makes him a natural leader, looked up to by the other children.

Bonheur’s absence had a big impact on everyone in the group. So they kept in touch through a mixture of phone calls, voice messages, and home visits, making sure that he was kept up to date and wouldn’t feel isolated or left out. This was their way of reminding him, “You’re still one of us”.

One of their visits was on 30 March. That Sunday, thirty-one members of the group stopped by. They took him flour, sugar, and a little money, putting into practice ATD Fourth World’s ethos of sincerely giving what they could and genuinely wanting to help. The children spoke kindly to Bonheur, praising his bravery. It was their way of saying that they were sharing his journey: that “We are by your side”

That day Bonheur felt the spirit of Tapori in his room. He was unable to walk but he could share a smile: a smile that expressed true solidarity.

Making progress

Bonheur’s father was away, working in Rumangabo, but his mother was at home. She confided to the visitors: “I thought he would never get better. Then I thought that he would recover, but would lose his leg. But now he can manage a slow walk. By the grace of God, he is making progress”.

What the children had shared with Bonheur was a solid friendship, based on concern and rooted in their daily struggles. For they had been the first to ask their leaders, “Why is Bonheur no longer with us? Where is he? Is he ever coming back?”.

Tapori Solidarity

There is more to Tapori than just activities. Tapori enables children to be heard and provides them with support, whatever the situation. In good times or in bad, the aim is to live together in solidarity. Paying a visit, sharing a few words or a smile, showing that you care: these are the things that create a strong bond and give Tapori children their strength.

In a city like Bukavu, where insecurity, uncertainty, and fatigue are widespread, involvement of this kind is an act of resistance: resistance to indifference, despondency, and to the idea that children living in poverty can have no hope.

Bonheur has now recovered. He is active again, laughing again, and dreaming again. His experience has taught the group many things, For example:

• That it is not your speed which is important; it is the desire to progress that matters.
• That to share in a fellowship opens the door to hope of a better future.
• That when one member of a group is absent, the others must try to make sure they return.

In Tapori, we value the courage of those who choose to persevere despite the obstacles that stand in their way. And we recognise that each child makes progress at their own pace, which can often be slowed by the difficulties that they face.