Young drowning victims Frank Ndikuriyo and Thierry Niyomwungere farewelled at emotional funeral service

TWO young boys who drowned while swimming at Glenelg on New Year’s Day “died at sea before they had a chance to really live”, grief-stricken mourners at their funeral have been told.

TWO young boys who drowned while swimming at Glenelg on New Year’s Day “died at sea before they had a chance to really live”.

Friends and family gathered at Craigmore Christian Church on Monday to pay their final respects to 11-year-olds Frank Ndikuriyo and Thierry Niyomwungere.

The Burundian boys were farewelled by more than 700 people at a funeral service, which included songs by the Songambele and Blessing Gospel choirs.

Thierry Niyomwungere's mother and father, Asterine Ndihokubwayo and Alexi Ndayisenga, at the funeral for their son and his friend Frank Ndikuriyo at Craigmore Christian Church. Picture: Calum Robertson

Family members of Frank and Thierry broke down as songs were sung by choirs, while representatives of both families delivered their eulogies in Swahili.

Frank’s father Etienne and older sister Elyse, whose tributes were translated and read by another family member, remembered him as the best brother and son.

“We had a lot of expectations from our first son,” Mr Ndikuriyo said. “If you continue to believe in Christ we will see you again. See you, my son, you will be remembered forever.”

Elyse said: “It’s hard to imagine life without him. He always know what to day or do to make us laugh; it’s almost impossible to stay mad at him.”

Frank Ndikuriyo and Thierry Niyomwungere drowned at Glenelg in a New Year’s Day tragedy.

She said Frank had wanted to play for Barcelona soccer team or become a builder when he grew up.

“He told my mum when he grows up he would build her a house to thank her for everything she had done for him,” Elyse said.

“We know you’re in a better place far from pain, but I know how much you mean to me and how much I love you.”

Muhama Yotham, of the Amazing Grace Gospel Church, read a tribute to Thierry on behalf of a younger family member.

“I’ve always wanted to have a brother like you because you were the best brother I had,” Mr Yotham said.

“We as a family will miss you. Please rest in peace; we will see you one day in heaven.”

Royce, a friend of the boys, speaks at the service. Picture: Calum Robertson

Mr Yotham and Pastor James Troup recalled heartfelt messages from the community upon the “tragic and untimely deaths” of both boys.

“Frank and Thierry will be missed. The life and joy they brought to their families will be missed,” Mr Troup said.

“They will be missed by their family, at school and by members of the soccer team.

“Their losses would be felt by the members of the community and by the state of South Australia.”

In a prayer, Mr Troup said: “Father, you know what it’s like to lose a son, we are not alone.

“We do not know why they were taken away from us ... but there is comfort that we would be seeing them again.

“They had died at sea before they had a chance to really live.”

The Songambele Gospel Choir perform at the funeral. Picture: Calum Robertson

The pair were swimming with friends near the breakwater north of the Glenelg jetty when they encountered difficulty and drowned in rough waters about 6pm on New Year’s Day.

The boys were both born in Africa, of Burundian heritage. Thierry, who was the eldest of four children, arrived in Brisbane with his refugee family before moving to Adelaide in 2010.

Frank, who was the only boy of four siblings, came to Adelaide in 2006 and attended Settlers Farm Primary School at Paralowie.

Since arriving in Australia, the pair had joined the same soccer club and sang together in the Blessings Gospel Choir.

Welcome to Australia and the Australian Refugee Association collected about $10,000 of donations to cover fees for the funeral and catering.

“People all over Australia, their hearts were breaking for Frank and Thierry,” Brad Chilcott of Welcome to Australia said.

“They do not know Frank and Thierry but they know what family is, they know what it means to grieve and lose.

“Hundreds of people begin to give in solidarity ... they know what it means to love someone.”

The Advertiser attended the funeral with the permission of both families.