It was evening when the militia broke into our house and found us.
They took my father and became violent with him. We tried to scream and plead, but to no avail. They threatened to rape and kill us if we didn’t keep quiet. My father was chopped into pieces and burned to ashes. We were forced to watch helplessly. We were all left confused and terrified to death. Even until now, I have never believed my eyes and still think that it was just a nightmare that one day I will wake up from. The incident is very painful for me. Every time that I look back, I am unable to control myself from shedding tears.
The next day, we had to find shelter at the Internally Displaced Persons camp, as we had been told that our houses were the next in line to be burned. I was 13 years old.
That night we carried our belongings all night long because no one was allowed to walk on the road during the day. I had to be pulled from school because the distance had become too far. We stayed at the camp for many months, sleeping in tents where it was cold throughout the night. After 8 months, the government provided money for the people in the camps to find homes. They moved us to a place where we did not know anyone, so we were dumped at the district office where we stayed for a week, cooking and sleeping on the verandah. It was a very difficult time.
After that week my mother started to look for a place to settle. She found a young woman who listened to her story and offered that we could stay at her house. But it wasn’t easy—she would beat us children harshly when my mother would leave to look for jobs, but I kept on praying that God would see us through. I had to stay home and work for that woman because there were no school fees. When I was eventually enrolled in a nearby school, I worked hard, praying to get out of that house, despite the difficulties that I was facing. I finished my primary education, hoping to join the high school of my choice. My mother had no funds so we searched for ways to earn money, but it was in vain. I felt depressed and my dream of becoming a surgeon had shattered.
We lived hand to mouth, eating only one meal a day if we were lucky. Sometimes I would stay at home for weeks because we lacked school fees. I am thankful for how far that God has brought us, because it is by the mercy and will of God that we are alive today.
Through this experience I am motivated to work hard in my studies, not only to avoid living a miserable life, but to help the community.
Therefore, I am studying to be a teacher. I want to support and empower young women through my story, and show them that nothing is impossible with God and with prayer, faith, and hope.
HEALING FROM TRAUMA
Before, I was so broken and hopeless because of the trauma I experienced with my family. I thought that it was the end of life. Since I joined Freely In Hope, all of that has changed. I have found a sense of belonging knowing that I have another family that cares for me. I have been able to go to school and pursue my dream career. In the beginning, I was too shy to speak to people, but through the leadership programs and retreats, I have been able to regain confidence in myself. I have learned so much not only academically, but also regarding my leadership ability. Because FIH has also provided counseling sessions, I have been able to heal mentally and emotionally. I have even been able to grow spiritually through praying and trusting God; I know that there is a plan and purpose for everything.
ACCESS TO EDUCATION
My future dream is to build a school, where girls from marginalized communities will be able to access education. I am hoping to use my skills as a teacher to educate people from my community on the effects of sexual violence, and how we as a community can work towards creating a world free of sexual violence.
