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.
エドソンは独立直後のアンゴラで生まれました。彼はとても背が高く、そのせいで目立っていました。そして彼のような男の子たちは、内戦で武器を持って戦う兵士として選ばれやすかったのです。
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.
エドソンのお母さんは彼が兵士に選ばれることを恐れ、おばさんの住んでいるポルトガルに彼を移住させることにしました。彼がそこで安全に生活できると考えたのです。
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.
エドソンはふるさとの暖かな気候や伝統料理、そして何よりお母さんのハグとキスが恋しく、始めはとても苦労しました。
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.
彼はポルトガル語がうまく話せなかったので、授業についていくことや、クラスメイトと話すことがとても困難でした。ポルトガルに来たことが正しかったのか悩みました。
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.
ある日、先生はエドソンがバスケットボールが得意なことに気が付きました。チームに入ったところ、それが大成功だったのです。彼は学校で人気者になり、友達ができました。そして自信を持つこともできました。
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.
今、エドソンは大人になり、難民の子どもたちや社会から排除されそうな人たちを指導しています。かつて彼を少年兵にしかけた彼の身長は、今では人々に安心を与える強みになっています。
