William Settles in but Still Misses His Brother

10-year-old William* had a painful history living on the street and suffering through abuse before he was offered a lifeline through the SOS Children’s Village Owu-Ijebu in 2013.

William, his younger brother and their mother, who suffers from a mental disease, lived on the street in a small town called Epe, in south-west Nigeria. William and his little brother Samuel* were often seen wandering the streets of Epe with their aggressive mother begging for food, clothes and money.

This is an update on William and Samuel following the earlier story shared in September 2015.

William at age 9, with his SOS family at the SOS Children’s Village Owu-Ijebu, Nigeria

3 years since arriving at SOS Children’s Village Owu-ljebu, William has adjusted and is now fully settled. He enjoys going to school with his siblings and friends, and is gradually improving in his studies. When William joined his SOS family in 2013 at the age of 7, he had never attended school. He enjoys working with numbers, but he is struggling with reading. The special education unit at the SOS school is supporting him to improve this.

When asked what his favourite fun-time activity is, William responded by saying: “I like drawing and playing football.” In fact, William loves football and seems to have a talent for it. He even prefers watching football to cartoons on television. He is being encouraged to develop his skills in football.

A home visit

Part of the support that SOS Children’s Villages provides to William, is working with his extended biological family members to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health and, more importantly, for him to maintain contact with them. Recently, William, the SOS social worker and his SOS mother paid a visit to his biological mother and extended family members in Epe. Before the trip, William was informed of the intended visit in order to prepare him. On hearing the news, he became very excited and he started saving some sweets and biscuits to bring along for his family.

Little Samuel (5) is William's younger brother.

On arrival in Epe, William was extremely happy to see his little brother, Samuel, again. He immediately offered him his gift of sweets and biscuits. As always, everyone was glad to have William visit, and to see how well he looks – happy and healthy. His uncle – his mother’s brother – said he was overjoyed to see William’s growth and development.

Sad to leave Samuel

When William leaves his biological family after such a visit, he is always sad to leave Samuel behind. Samuel is now five years old. He has not been enrolled in any school whatsoever as his mother remains a barrier. She is always with him, ensuring he does not get out of her sight; not even for one minute. “He looks unhealthy but was happy to receive the gifts offered by his brother William,” said William’s SOS mother, Mrs George.

It has been 3 years since William moved to his SOS family, with the hope of Samuel joining him. SOS has been working to put a comprehensive mental health support program in place for William’s mother, who at present remains insistent that Samuel stays by her side. The hope is, by providing increased support to her, it will create an opportunity for her to release Samuel for quality care with SOS Children’s Village.

In the meantime, William lives happily with his SOS mother and siblings and continues to dream of becoming a doctor. “I want to be a doctor in future so that I will be able to take care of my mother.”

*Names changed to protect the privacy of the children.