Democratic Republic of Congo

 

Memories of bygone school days usually conjure up misty images of noisy playgrounds, hideous cross country runs, nervy supply teachers, and nothing scarier than the odd fizzy-drink-fuelled scrap on the bus.   

 

But instead of rushing home to flop in front of Neighbours, relentlessly tease your younger siblings, or pretend to do your math’s homework, picture a scene where you’re suddenly met by deafening gunshots, desperate screams, and rioting soldiers.  

 

Then imagine being forced to turn and run from your house, your street and your home town without even knowing whether your parents managed to escape or were killed on the spot.  

 

It may sound like a bad horror flick, but for many children in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), getting forcibly separated from their parents is just another chilling reality in a country where violence and bloodshed are commonplace.  

 

In fact, the bitter civil war between the government and rebel forces – often dubbed Africa’s First World War - has already resulted in a staggering three million deaths from 1998 to 2003. 

 

Sadly, after a relative hiatus of five years, the threat of civil war resurfaced in eastern DRC last November, forcing more than a quarter of a million people to flee their homes and pour into the city of Goma and the crowded camps on its fringes.

 

With hazardous rebel-controlled roads to the north and west and impassable roads to the south, the provincial capital of Goma was effectively isolated from the rest of DRC, making it an extremely dangerous place for the thousands of hungry, frightened children arriving there confused and alone. 

 

Fortunately the Unaccompanied Children’s Centre in Goma, run by one of Christian Aid’s partners CBCA, has been on hand to support and care for some of them, offering clean clothes, food, and a safe haven in which to sleep, learn and play.

 

For those lucky enough to be going home to see their parents, the Centre also provides essential survival kits including a mosquito net, a warm blanket, a pillow, maize flour, cooking oil, beans, and a plastic bowl.

 

“At first it is hard to speak to the children because they don’t know who to trust anymore, so they are always afraid that you might kill or harm them,” explains Desiree Safari, director for development at CBCA.

 

“We’ve had 159 bewildered children arriving at the Centre since the beginning of the conflict and we have managed to reunite more than 48 children with their families so far.”

 

RIZIKI USHINDI, 12

 

Riziki and her sister Salama, 10, brother Daniel, 8, and sister Dorcas, 7, walked for three days to reach Goma after rebel soldiers destroyed their village in the remote district of Rutshuru. 

 

“The war started when we were at school but our parents were in the fields,” says Riziki.

 

“When we got home the doors were closed and we heard gunfire, so I ran away with my brothers and sister.

 

“By chance we found a truck which took us to Rubari , and then I took the initiative for all of us to walk 60 kilometres to Goma, which took us three days.

 

 “They take very good care of us here but I have missed my parents and will be really happy to see them again.

 

“I only found out last week that my parents were alive but I always hoped in my heart that they would be.”

 

 

RACHEL KYAKIMWA, 12 

 

After finding their village up in flames and their parents missing, 12-year-old Rachel and her brother Jonathan, 5, and sister Sarah, 8, fled to Goma on foot. 

 

“I was at school but then I heard gunfire and I ran straight home but my parents weren’t there,” says Rachel.

 

“Luckily I found my brother and sister and we walked by ourselves to Kibumba some 20 kilometres from Goma.

 

“We spent the night there and then we walked to Goma where we met some girls who told us that there was a pastor who was taking in children.

 

“We have been looked after well here but I am very glad to be going home to see my parents again.”

 

by Emma Pomfret, Christian Aid