ولد إيدسون في انغولا، تماما بعد استقلال دولته. كان فتىً طويلاً للغاية. وتميّز بسبب طوله. كان من يسلِّحون الأطفال ويجندونهم يرغبون بفتيان مثله.
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.
كانت أمه تخاف من أن يتم تجنيده، لذا قررت أن ترسله إلى عمته في البرتغال، رأت أنه سيكون بأمانٍ هناك.
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.
كان الأمر صعباً جداً في البداية. إشتاق إيدسون للطقس الدافئ، والطعام التقليدي، والأهم من كل هذا، إلى أحضان امه وقبلاتها.
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.
لم يتحدث البرتغالية جيداً وكان صعباً عليه أن يلحق بزملائه في الصف. كان يسأل نفسه إن كان قدومه إلى البرتغال قراراً صائباً.
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.
وفي احدى الأيام لاحظ احد المعلمين مدى مهارته في لعبة كرة السلة. فقد انتسب إلى فريق كرة السلة وكان ماهراً جداً. اصبح مشهوراً في المدرسة وبين أصدقاءه، وازدادت ثقته بنفسه.
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.
والآن بعد ان أصبح كبيراً، يساعد إدسون الأطفال اللاجئين بتعليمهم ومحاولة دمجهم في المجتمع. بعد أن وضعه طوله في خطر التجنيد، بات طوله الآن هو نقطة القوة التي يساعد من خلالها الآخرين على الشعور بالأمان.
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.
