Edson alizaliwa Angola baada tu ya nchi hiyo kupata uhuru. Alikuwa ni mvulana mrefu sana. Kwa sababu ya kimo chake, alikuwa anaonekana sana. Watu waliokuwa wanawapa watoto silaha ili wapigane kama wanajeshi katika vita ya wenyewe kwa wenyewe, walipenda wavulana kama yeye.
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.
Mama yake alikuwa na hofu kwamba wangemteka. Kwa hiyo, aliamua kumpeleka Ureno na shangazi yake. Alidhani angekuwa salama huko.
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.
Kwanza lilikuwa ni jambo gumu sana, kwani Edson alikumbuka hali ya hewa yenye joto, chakula cha asili, na zaidi ya yote, kumbatio la mama yake na mabusu.
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.
Hakuwa anazungumza Kireno vizuri na ilimwia vigumu kumudu masomo yake pamoja na mawasiliano na wanafunzi wenzake. Kwa ujumla, alianza kuhisi kama haukua uamuzi mzuri kwenda Ureno.
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.
Siku moja, mwalimu alibaini jinsi alivyokuwa mizuri katika mpira wa kikapu. Alijiunga na timu ya mpira wa kikapu na alikuwa na mafanikio makubwa. Alipata umaarufu shuleni na alijitengenezea marafiki. Pia alijiamini zaidi.
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.
Kwa kuwa sasa ni mtu mzima, Edson anawafundisha watoto wa wakimbizi na wale walio katika hatari ya kutengwa na jamii. Mwanzoni, kimo chake kilimuweka katika hatari ya kuwa askari mtoto. Sasa, kimo chake kinampa nguvu ya kusaidia wengine ili nao wajihisi wako salama.
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.
