“Here we talk about everything - good and bad!”

21 Mar�o 2009

Luanda Wema is 35 years old and pregnant for the eighth time. During the delivery, she’ll undergo sterilisation. She’s waiting to give birth at the ‘Welcome village’ set up by MSF for pregnant women in Masisi hospital, a hospital situated in North Kivu and supported by MSF.

“I came here by foot from Nyabiondo. It is more than 20 km away from here. I left at 6 am and arrived in Masisi at 5 pm. I was exhausted. I’d like a health clinic in my village. I had to walk through the rain. I was cold. My husband came with me and then went back to the village. I’ve been here in Masisi hospital for almost a month now.”

“I stay here and rest most of the time. I try and save my strength for the delivery. I stay in dormitory, in bed, and listen to the education sessions. I’ve met women here who I know from the village, and I’ve made new friends. We talk about the birth, and compare what we have learnt during the education sessions and speak about our lives. We talk about everything - good and bad!”

“Before the war, I had animals and a small business. Now, everything has been looted. I am scared because on the road I ran into armed men that I didn’t know. They asked for money. I gave them bananas. Despite all the difficulties of war, we must take care of our children. I would like them to study. But ahead, I only see difficulties.”

Read other interviews and portraits of pregnant women here.

Read more information on MSF project in Masisi here.