Edson was born in Angola, just after the country became independent. He was a very tall boy. Because of his height he stood out. The people who were giving weapons to children to fight as soldiers in the civil war wanted boys like him.
Edson was born in Angola, just after the country became independent. He was a very tall boy. Because of his height he stood out. The people who were giving weapons to children to fight as soldiers in the civil war wanted boys like him.
Edson est né en Angola, juste après que le pays soit devenu indépendant. C’était un très grand garçon. Il se démarquait à cause de sa taille. Les personnes qui donnaient des armes aux enfants pour qu’ils se battent en tant que soldats dans la guerre civile voulaient des garçons comme lui.
His mother was afraid they would take him, so she decided to send him to live in Portugal with an aunt. She thought he would be safe there.
His mother was afraid they would take him, so she decided to send him to live in Portugal with an aunt. She thought he would be safe there.
Sa mère avait peur qu’ils ne le prennent, donc elle a décidé de l’envoyer vivre au Portugal avec une tante. Elle pensait qu’il y serait en sécurité.
It was very difficult to begin with, as Edson missed the warm weather, the traditional food and, most of all, his mother’s hugs and kisses.
It was very difficult to begin with, as Edson missed the warm weather, the traditional food and, most of all, his mother’s hugs and kisses.
C’était très difficile au départ, puisque la météo chaude manquait à Edson, ainsi que la nourriture traditionnelle et, surtout, les câlins et baisers de sa mère.
He did not speak Portuguese well and found it very hard to follow his classes and the conversations of his classmates. He wondered if it was a good idea to come to Portugal after all.
He did not speak Portuguese well and found it very hard to follow his classes and the conversations of his classmates. He wondered if it was a good idea to come to Portugal after all.
Il ne parlait pas bien le Portugais et trouvait difficile de suivre ses cours et les conversations de ses camarades. Il se demandait si venir au Portugal était une bonne idée après tout.
One day a teacher noticed how good he was at basketball. He joined a basketball team and was very successful. He became popular at school and made friends. He also became more confident.
One day a teacher noticed how good he was at basketball. He joined a basketball team and was very successful. He became popular at school and made friends. He also became more confident.
Un jour, un professeur a remarqué à quel point il était doué en basket. Il a rejoint une équipe de basket et a eu beaucoup de succès. Il est devenu populaire à l’école et s’est fait des amis. Il a également gagné en confiance en lui.
Now that he is an adult, Edson trains refugee children and others at risk of being excluded from society. Once, his height put him in danger of becoming a child soldier. Now, his height gives him strength to help others feel safe.
Now that he is an adult, Edson trains refugee children and others at risk of being excluded from society. Once, his height put him in danger of becoming a child soldier. Now, his height gives him strength to help others feel safe.
Maintenant qu’il est adulte, Edson entraîne des enfants réfugiés et d’autres qui risquent d’être exclus de la société. Avant, sa taille le mettait en danger de devenir un enfant soldat. Maintenant, sa taille lui donne de la force pour aider les autres à se sentir en sécurité.
