Curio*, a 12-year-old in Mahama Refugee Camp, once dropped out of school and cared for neighbors' children after his father abandoned him — but after placement in a foster family supported by Save the Children, UNHCR and BPRM, he’s back in Primary Four, thriving and dreaming of becoming a doctor.
Curio is a 12-year-old child living in Mahama Refugee Camp in Eastern Rwanda, with a dream of becoming a doctor. His early life, however, was marked by hardships. After losing his mother at the age of two, Curio lived with his father in the camp.
While attending year three at an Early Childhood Development (ECD) Centre, his situation worsened when his father abandoned him. Left on his own, Curio began caring for neighbors' children in exchange for food. As a result, he dropped out of school for a year and faced increased risks of malnutrition and violence and abuse, such as child labor.
“I used to live with my mother and father in the camp, but my mother passed away when I was two years old. When I was in year three at the ECD centre, I had to stay home to look after my neighbors' children, and I dropped out of school for one year,” said Curio, who started the family hardship at 6.
In 2022, Save the Children, in collaboration with UNHCR and BPRM, supported Curio*’s placement into a foster family. He received psychosocial support to cope with the effects of the hardships he endured, while his foster parent was trained in alternative care and safe family practices to ensure his protection and well-being.
Since joining his foster family, Curio* has returned to school and is now in Primary Four, where he is performing well. His mental health has improved, and the supportive environment has helped him feel safe, cared for, and able to thrive.
“After I was placed into alternative care, my foster parent started buying me shoes and clothes. I was able to go back to school, I am now in Primary Four, and I am doing well,” said Curio
In 2025 alone, up to 264 children, including unaccompanied and neglected children, like Curio*, were placed into foster families, gaining access to education and essential protection services, while 113 foster parents were trained on alternative care.
From January to June 2026, Save the Children Rwanda, through BPRM support, delivered a range of protection services to 6,328 children, including 80 children with disabilities, facing protection concerns. Most children were reached in Mahama Refugee Camp, alongside Kigali and Huye urban areas.
Through targeted interventions, 517 unaccompanied and separated children and 250 children at heightened risk of abuse, neglect, exploitation, and hazardous labour received intensive, individualised case management support. These services address immediate risks while promoting longer-term safety and well-being.
