Neema Baeni: “I have always gone to school, except when there was fighting”

July 2nd, 2009

Neema Baeni, 14 years old, Kibaramgiriro, territory of Masisi, North Kivu

“I have always lived in “Kiba”, that’s what we call my village even though its full name is Kibaramgiriro. But that’s too long to say! It is a small village in Masisi territory, a two hour walk from the centre of Masisi. You have to climb many hills and cross small rivers to get there.

“I have always gone to school, except when there was fighting near here. The entire family had to flee to Masisi.”

I live here with my father, my mother, my two brothers and my four sisters. In my village, there is a school and I really like going there. Two of my sisters go there as well. But all my other brothers and sisters are older and have finished their studies. They are all married now. I am in year six at school. I love Maths and French. My teacher gives great lessons and I like him a lot. It is partially thanks to him that I want to become a teacher. I have many friends at school, and I even have a boyfriend. He goes to school with me and, even though he’s very nice, he won’t be my husband! I am too young to think about that. I must finish my studies first.

I have always gone to school, except when there was fighting near here. The entire family had to flee to Masisi. I was very sad not to be able to go to school. Of course I missed my friends, but I was mostly worried about my parents, my sisters and my brothers. I was scared that something would happen to them. Today, there is no more fighting here so I feel reassured. I don’t want it to start again.

When I’m not at school, I help my parents in the cassava field. They are merchants, so I have to help them a bit. I also sing in church and I play “cadence” (a ball game) and “mago” (a hand-clapping game) with my friends.”