Helping Girls and Young Women in Bujumbura Slum

“I grew up in a house that never felt like a home. Every day was filled with shouting, anger, and fear. My parents fought constantly. My father had other women, and my mother had other men. As a child, I never felt protected. I felt small, lost, and invisible.

Before I was even grown, I became the mother of my own family. I worried about what my younger brothers and sisters would eat. I cleaned, cooked, and carried burdens that were too heavy for a child. When my father came home, he did not show love he used he beat me. I learned to live quietly, trying not to be seen.

When I was 15, I went to visit a friend. When I came back, my father’s eyes were full of anger. He accused me of things I had not done. He pulled me outside and shamed me in front of people. He beat me and called a bitch. That day, something inside me died. I felt dirty, ashamed, and less than human.

I started to dream of escape. I told myself that if any man asked me to be his wife, I would go with him, no questions asked. I just wanted a place where I could breathe. When a man came and told me he wanted to live with me, my heart filled with hope for the first time. I thought God had finally answered my prayers.

The day he came to get me, I took my bag and followed him. But on the way, when we reached a place where there was a forest, he grabbed me and raped me. I screamed until people came running. He ran away, but he was caught and imprisoned; Yet, the pain persisted.

My heart was so heavy with sadness that I couldn't stay in my village anymore. That's how I ended up here in Maramvya, desperately searching for a place to survive. I asked for work as a domestic servant. I couldn't go back to my parents. I feel like an orphan.

When I came to this workshop, I was carrying a heart that was too heavy to hold. For the first time, I spoke the words that were buried deep inside me. I cried without shame. I learned that my tears are not a weakness they are a way to let the pain flow out. Today, I feel a small peace in my chest. I feel like I am slowly learning how to live again.”

“I grew up in a family that was separated because of ethnic conflict. My father’s family convinced him to leave my mother because of her ethnic group. My two sisters and I were taken to live with my father’s family. Life there was very difficult, and we lived in extreme poverty. Later, my father also left us.

Because I grew up without love, care, and protection, I felt rejected and hopeless. At the age of 14, I entered into a relationship in order to forget my pain, and I became pregnant. Being pregnant at such a young age was very traumatic for me. People told me that I would not manage and that my life was over. With no other option, I was forced to go and live with the man who became my husband. We lied about my age and said that I was 18.

I became a mother while I was still a child myself. My husband treated me badly and abused me. Because I had nowhere else to go, I stayed and endured the situation.

During the same period, my mother was diagnosed with cancer and died a few months later. Her death deeply affected me. I was shocked and confused, and I attended her funeral as if I were watching a movie. I could not cry because the pain was too heavy.

When I participated in the trauma healing training, I began to understand what had been happening inside me. I realized that I had kept all my pain deep in my heart, and it was slowly destroying me. I recognized the symptoms of trauma in my life. This workshop helped me look inside myself, share my story, and begin my healing journey.”

 “My name is Anitha, and I am a member of the savings group TUZAMUKE. In August, our group was recognized as one of the best performers and received a loan of 5,600,000 BIF from FWA, and I personally received 2,000,000 BIF. This was an incredible opportunity for me and my family.

Before receiving the loan, I struggled to grow my small food business, where I sell rice, beans, potatoes, bananas…. With this financial support, I was able to buy new materials and improve my business operations.  Already, I see more customers and higher sales because having more goods attracts more customers.

In just three months, I have seen a remarkable change. My business is growing, my confidence has increased; this progress gives me hope and motivates me to repay the loan on time.

• Global_Giving_January_2026_Narrative_Report.doc (DOC)