“I was born in Khadugli in Western Sudan. My father died when I was little. I left school when I was very young. I decided to work instead of learning. There was little food at home. I worked to survive. I was working in the market and I stopped going home because there was no way I could provide for them. I was doing any work I could find to get money for my provisions. But in the streets I learned bad behaviour and started to act worse and worse. I became addicted to glue and cigarettes. After some time, someone I knew told me about the Muhabba centre in Omdurman. He told me that I could live there and learn new things like schooling. These were the things that I was looking for, so I went there.

 I was thirteen years old when I went and I had been on the streets for two years. In the Muhabba centres I learned to live a good life. This was because of the abilities of our teachers.  I also learned a lot academically and now I am in my final year of University studies, in the field of bookkeeping. My great expectation and hope is to open a centre for the homeless someday. I also hope to work in the field of law to help the homeless and protect them. I will do this if God wills it.”

This young man has now graduated from university and is about to go for a job interview with a large drinks factory. He was heard to say, "The centre made hope rise in me like the sun.’’

Operation Mercy has worked with street boys in Sudan since 1996. During this time many boys, who were living on the street, have received a safe home, good food, clothing and a full academic course.