Jean Luc Mahoro “Mahoro”
Age: 14
Grade: P4 (4th Grade)
Birthday: Unknown. Mahoro celebrated his birthday for the first time this past July with his friends Eric and Elic.
Dreams and Future Goals: To become a big investor to earn enough money to start an NGO like RCRI
When Mahoro was born, he lived with his mother and younger sister. They were very poor, and the mother would always tell them that their father did not want them. This life of poverty became too much and at seven years old, he left his home to live on the streets and beg and steal to survive. During this time, Mahoro did not see his mother for 4 years. While living on the streets, he would wake up at five o'clock in the morning and go to different homes to steal whatever they left outside. He would sell the things he had stolen at the local market to buy drugs including cigarettes, marijuana, and alcohol, anything that he could get his hands on.
While living on the streets, he met Eric and Elic, also known as “Little Eric.” They all roamed the streets together and continued to steal in order to survive. One night Eric made sure the other boys were asleep by fanning them with a paper plate to ensure their comfort. Once they were asleep, Eric stole all of their money (around five dollars) and ran away. When the boys woke up the next morning and discovered what had happened, they were furious. They began to hunt Eric down until they found him that evening. Under Mahoro’s leadership, the boys severely beat Eric and put hot sauce in his eyes as punishment for stealing their money.
As the boys were punishing Eric, an RCRI employee named Eben drove past the boys and stopped. After hearing their reasoning, Eben asked the boys how much he had stolen to pay his ransom. Although the boys told him a greater amount than the amount stolen, Eben paid them and took Eric home with him.
Mahoro and Elic did not see Eric for quite some time after this happened. One day, they saw big Eric at the market with Eben and Haven. They thought that Eric had traveled to the US because he looked so nice and cleaned up. He told them how he had been staying with Eben, and the other boys asked if they could come. Eben did not have enough room at that time, but eventually said that they could come and stay with him. The boys were sure that there would be police at this house waiting to arrest them for roaming the streets. However, they found safe and rather boring environment.
Eric encouraged the boys to stay, but Elic and Mahoro made a plan to steal and to sell the bicycle that was at the home. The Lord had different plans for their life and, the next day, the boys met Ben, founder of RCRI. Ben was so kind and nice to the boys, and treated them so well, that the boys decided to stay. They noticed something different about him that was so comforting.
There were other boys that lived in the house and one of them was a terrible influence. He would steal things and do things just to be mean to others. When he left the house, the boys began to change. They began to read the bible and go to church. Although there was much change in their lives, they were still causing trouble because of their lack of discipline. Although in a better environment, the boys had more freedom and began misbehaving. So, after being sent back to their homes for four months, Ben realized that they were finally serious about attending school and changing their lives for the better. The three boys, Mahoro, Elic, and Eric began attending a Christian boarding school called Victorious Academy thanks to their RCRI sponsors in the U.S. Since coming to this school, Mahoro has grown into a leader in the school and has matured greatly. The boys have had the opportunity to learn more, feel loved, have food in their bellies, and have a positive environment to call “home.”
To sponsor: Mahoro says that he is so grateful to have been given this opportunity. He always thought that his opportunities for school would be bad schools in his community at best. Now he has hope for a better future. His mother is so thankful for being reunited with her son, and he sends blessings to you and your family.
