Fleeing Violence in Burkina Faso
There were a few incidents in the neighbouring village earlier on in the year, so we thought we were spared. Until the armed groups arrived in our village. It was at the market that they started shooting, and my husband who was there died. We were forced to flee without taking anything with us.
34 year old Nongoma is a mother of seven living in Burkina Faso. Currently, she and her children are living in a camp for internally displaced people, after fleeing for their lives after attacks on their village. That day, Nongoma’s life was changed forever.
“We use to live in peace and quiet in our village with a lot of travel. We participated in practically all the markets of the neighbouring villages, which took place every three days.”
Nongoma and her husband used to be agricultural producers but now she cannot work and relies on humanitarian assistance like yours to keep herself and her children safe.
“I was lucky enough to be housed here next to people from the same village and we continue to have very good relations.”
Although she is safer now than she was in her village, Nongoma is worried that her children are not getting an education, like they were before the attacks. “Four of my children were in school but when we arrived here, it was only the oldest child that I was able to re-enrol in college. The other children missed school this year because I did not have enough money.”
Nongoma and her family collected ShelterBox aid including tarpaulin, kitchen sets, sleeping mats, mosquito nets and solar lamps. “With the help of ShelterBox with new, beautiful tarpaulins, we are now well housed and I am very satisfied.”
For Nongoma and her children, the future is very uncertain. But for now, thanks to your support, she feels safe.
Return is very scary and haunts me. When I think of the village, the image of my husband’s murder comes to mind. I have a shelter that allows me to stay for a while. When everything calms down, we will see.