The center houses almost 200 children and helps about 75 outside of the center.  The children that are helped outside get their school fees, health insurance, clothing, and school supplies paid.  The center has lots of siblings living there together.  They have deaf and mute children and some mentally handicapped.  They are all required to go to school, and they have special schools for their handicapped students.  If their studies aren't successful they go to technical school to learn a trade or skill.  They have many children that finish university and lead a normal life. Those that go to university live together in groups of 4-5 and the center helps them find a place to live. Sometimes they come back to Gisimba to help, but it's on their own.  If they don't go to university, they are supposed to transition out at 21.  Many develop projects that are funded by their sponsor from secondary school.  They are on their own when they have enough to support themselves for three months.  

The children wake up and have a porridge breakfast at 6:30 every day.  They leave for school by 7 am.  All the children go to school close by.  Some attend school in the morning and some in the afternoon.  Then they come home and have homework and free time.  The staff does their best to ensure the children lead a normal life.

 

Mukarage Moses Mensieur Mensieur is 20 years old.  He finished secondary school in 2006 and is waiting to go to university in September.  He joined Gisimba after he returned from touring with the African Children's Choir in May 1998.  While he was touring he learned English, and got to experience the world.  He wants to become a computer engineer and plans to go to Kigali Institute of Science and Technology.  His favorite food is pepperoni pizza and he enjoys sports, movies, and music.

Eric Eric is 17 years old, and has been at Gisimba since he was two.  His mother brought him here and then about six months later she passed away.  In 1998 he and 12 other Gisimba children were selected for the African Children's Choir and he traveled with them for four years.  He is now in S5 or 11th grade and attends Lycee de Kigali day school.   He plans to attend university studying humanities.  For fun he likes to play soccer and watch movies.  His favorite food is chips and while he was in the States he loved hamburgers.