Providing health care to 1000s in Bujumbura slum

“My name is Cecile; I grew up in my uncle family because I am an orphan. I used to work very hard on vacation to pay my school fees because I like to study more than anything. One day, the wife of my uncle sent me to another family to help them with housework.

The father of this family began to sympathize with me. When I went back to school (I studied at a boarding school), this man bought me everything I needed for school. I thought it is a reward for working in their house but he was looking for sex. This man continued to visit me at the boarding school. He brought me money and other things that a girl needs.

When I came back home from school, he used to tell me that he was waiting for me in Bujumbura. (I was studying in Kivoga) and took the hotel where we spent a night with him. He is the one who took my virginity. I kept all this in my heart and it pained me very much. I had no one to advise me I did it so I could study. He made sure I didn't get pregnant.

When I was in my final year, he got me pregnant and he did it so that I wouldn't finish my studies. He rented a house for me in Bujumbura in Kinama.  I had the pain of not finishing my studies but also regretting having taken the man of another woman. I had the feeling of shame and of hating myself .I used to stay in the house so that no one who knew me would see me. He was trying everything to make me happy in vain.

When I gave birth, he told me that he is not the Father because I gave birth a week before the date the nurse said. Because of this, He abandoned me and turned off his phone. I went through a lot of sufferings. I remember I passed two days without eating even though I had just given birth.

From that day, he came whenever he wanted; if he wanted he would give me money. One day I made the decision to no longer depend on him. I took everything that was in the house and sold it to have a small capital for a business. Until now 5 years ago, I no longer want to see him I live with my child I no longer want a man.

I thank you for inviting me, it’s difficult and it takes courage to say such things in front of other women who suffer of polygamy; I am one of the women who caused violence to another woman. I am feeling good because my burden goes away by telling my story”.

“I married a soldier. After one year, he went on a mission abroad. When he returned, I learned that he had another wife in Bujumbura. One day he told me that he was coming to the house with a visitor. I got ready to welcome them but I was disappointed to find that e was coming with his second wife. I calmed down, I gave them something to eat and we slept on the same bed. I was like I am watching a movie. I couldn't understand what happened to me. Then they returned to Bujumbura.

Life forced them to come and live in Bubanza. They rented a house but they didn't have enough to eat, so they came to harvest what they didn’t sown. When I saw this I harvested everything that was left in my field.

He refused to give me the money and I complained to his boss. This is how his boss divided his salary in two so that I can receive half of his salary. After this, He wanted to kill me. He threw a machete at me but it couldn't reach me. He beat me until the authorities came and he told the administrator that he will cut me into pieces. And the administrator advised me to flee the house. When I left the house they came to live in. It was the police who intervened so that they can leave the house. But I couldn't find peace; I had endless headaches because I couldn't sleep because of the fear. I spent the night changing room to room because I feared of being killed by my husband.

This is how we were divorced. Today I live with my children in my house and we benefit a part of his salary. I am traumatized by what my husband did to me; I often have nightmares at night, I often find myself talking to myself and other signs of the trauma that have been cited here”.

• FWA_MARCH_2024_NARRATIVE_REPORT_WEBSITE.doc (DOC)