Edson waxa uu ku dhashay Angola, wax yar uun ka dib markii uu dalkoodu xornimada qaatay. Wuxuu ahaa wiil aad u dheer. Dhererkiisa awgeed ayuu kuwa kale kaga duwanaa. Dadkii hubka siin jiray carruurta si ay ugu dagaalamaan askar ahaan dagaaladii sokeeye waxay doonayeen wiilal isagoo kale ah.
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.
Hooyadii waxay ka cabsatay inay kaxaystaan, markaas ayay go’aansatay inay u dirto inuu kula noolaado habaryartii Portugal. Waxay u malaynaysay inuu halkaas ku nabadgeli doono.
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.
Aad bay u adkeyd bilaawgii horre, maadaama Edson uu u xiisay cimilada diiran, cunta dhaqameedka iyo ugu badnaan, laabta gelintii iyo dhunkashada hooyadiis.
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.
Si fiican ugumuu hadli karin luuqada Boortaqiiska, aad ayeyna ugu adkeyd inuu la socdo fasaladiisa iyo la sheekeysiga saaxiibadiis. Waxa uu iswaydiin jiray in ay tahay fikrad wanaagsan in uu yimaado Portugal.
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.
Maalin maalmaha ka mid ah macalin ayaa ogaaday sida uu ugu fiican yahay kubbadda gacanta. Waxa uu ku biiray koox kubadda gacanta ah oo uu aad ugu guulaystay. Waxa uu caan ka noqday iskoolka oo uu yeeshay saaxiibo. Wuxuu kaloo noqday qof kalsooni badan.
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.
Hadda oo uu qaan-gaaray, Edson wuxuu tababaraa carruurta qaxootiga ah iyo kuwa kale ee laga takooro bulshada. Mar, dhererkiisu waxa uu halis galiyay in uu carruurta la askaraynayo noqdo. Hadda, dhererkiisu wuxuu siinayaa awood uu dadka kale ku caawiyo inay dareemaan ammaan.
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.
