Bauma: “I hope for peace, mostly for the sake of my child”

July 24th, 2009

Teenagers speak out on Condition: Critical.

Bauma, 18 years old, Kibaramgirio, Masisi territory, North Kivu

“I came back to Kibaramgiriro a month ago. I was living in Minova with my husband before that. We had to flee during the fighting last August. We went to Minova because I have some relatives there who were able to help us. I had to leave everything behind: my house, my family, my life. ”

“When the fighting started, we had to move fast. My mother fled one way and my father died. It was a terrible time. I was desperate, sad and extremely scared. When the situation calmed down, my husband and I decided to come back home. I was sure that my house would be destroyed but someone from my family-in-law had looked after it. I am so happy to have my house back!”

“In Minova, there was no work and I relied on my family. Here, I have a manioc field and I can start farming again and support myself.”

“I married my husband two months after I met him. He comes from the same village as me but we had hardly spoken before we married. He is 20 years old and works as a wood cutter. He is very nice. I am six months pregnant with our first child. Everything is going fine at the moment. I had an initial consultation today with an MSF nurse who came from Masisi to the village to organise consultations for the village.”

“I am training myself to sing so I can join the church choir. I dance there too. I’ve finally grown used to the war. I used to get really scared but now I’m calm. I have hope that we will finally find peace. I hope for peace, mostly for the sake of my child. But only God knows the future.”