Reunited to grow: How a Small Group Home gave four brothers a future again

In Burundi, many children deprived of parental care grow up alone, separated from their brothers and sisters after the death of their parents.

To address this reality, SOS Children's Villages launched the Small Group Home alternative care option in 2024. This solution enables children and young people living alone or abandoned to grow up in a stable family environment while preserving sibling bonds.

Today, 52 children are already benefiting from this support. Among them are Innocent and his three brothers. 

When life takes a dramatic turn 

In Kimanga location, in Muyinga Commune, the lives of Innocent and his three younger brothers were much like those of many rural families. Their parents farmed their land and, despite limited means, managed to provide the essentials: a home, food, and above all, the love of a united family.

But within two years, everything fell apart. In 2022, their mother passed away. A year later, their father also died. Overnight, the four boys became orphans. At just 20 years old, Innocent became the head of the household.

Faced with extreme poverty, the siblings could no longer remain together. To survive, they were separated. Innocent was sent to live with another family, where he worked as a livestock herder. His three younger brothers were taken in by an uncle. Unfortunately, the uncle struggled with alcoholism and paid little attention to the children's well-being. Only his wife tried to fill the void left by their parents, despite her own hardships.

The children soon found themselves living in extremely difficult conditions. There were times when they did not know where they would sleep or what they would eat the next day. School fees became impossible to pay. Clothing was scarce. To meet the family's most urgent needs, part of the land inherited from their parents had to be sold. Even more painful than deprivation was the separation of the siblings. Without their parents and scattered across different households, the four brothers gradually lost their sense of belonging and hope for a better future. "After our father's death, we were separated and had lost all hope. We did not know whether we would ever continue our education or even live together again," recalls J. Claude*, one of the younger brothers.

 A meeting that changed a life

 Just when the situation seemed hopeless, someone in their community, deeply moved by their suffering, decided to act. Working together with the Child Protection Focal Person from Kimanga location, this individual took steps to bring the children's situation to the attention of SOS Children's Villages. That intervention marked the beginning of a new chapter.

In September 2024, the three younger brothers were admitted to a Small Group Home, an alternative care solution that provides children deprived of parental care with a safe, protective, and family-like environment. But the goal was not simply to provide them with shelter. The SOS Children's Villages team worked toward a long-term solution that would allow the siblings to reunite and rebuild their future together.

With the support of the social worker, the Child Protection Focal Person, and local authorities, efforts were made to recover the family land that had been sold after the death of the parents. At the same time, a remarkable wave of solidarity emerged. Community members joined forces to build a house for the children. They contributed labor and constructed the walls, while SOS Children's Villages provided cement, roofing sheets, beds, mattresses, bed linens, tables, chairs, and all the household items needed to make the home livable. This project was about much more than constructing a house. It was about rebuilding a family. 

The joy of being together again 

When the house was completed, the four brothers were finally able to live together once more. Innocent returned to his younger brothers and fully embraced his role as head of the household. With the support of SOS Children's Villages, he learned how to manage the family home and gradually prepare for the family's long-term self-reliance. Today, the children live in a stable and protective environment. They have a decent home, sleep in proper conditions, and enjoy regular meals. Most importantly, they are back in school. They attend classes regularly, perform well academically, and have begun dreaming about the future once again. J. Claude* also recalls the support he received when an eye condition was affecting his daily life. "Thanks to SOS Children's Villages, I received the medical treatment I needed. Today, I am doing much better and I can continue my studies." 

The resilience of an older brother who became his family's pillar

 For Innocent, losing both parents was an overwhelming tragedy. Yet instead of giving up, he chose to fight for the future of his brothers. Thanks to the recovery of the family's land, he now cultivates the fields left by his parents. During the most recent farming season, he harvested 200 kilograms of beans and 150 kilograms of maize, significantly strengthening the household's food security. Determined to do even more, he has also developed several income-generating activities. After investing 100,000 BIF in a coffee seedling business, he generated sales worth 300,000 BIF. Building on this success, he opened a small shop and is gradually expanding a goat and rabbit breeding project. "Since my younger brothers started receiving support from SOS Children's Villages, I feel even more responsible for their future. Every day I work hard so they can continue their education and grow up in good conditions," Innocent explains. 

A future taking shape again

 Today, the family looks to the future with confidence. Innocent hopes to further expand his economic activities to achieve financial independence and provide a stable life for his brothers.

Meanwhile, the younger boys are pursuing their education seriously and dream of becoming adults who can one day contribute to the development of their community. The story of Innocent and his brothers shows that when a child loses their parents, they do not necessarily lose their future. Thanks to community solidarity, the support of SOS Children's Villages, and the generosity of donors, a sibling group at risk of growing apart has regained what mattered most: the right to stay together, grow up as a family, and hope again.