I am 28 years old and I come from Mwenga. Someday in 2004 the war broke up in my village at 5am in the morning. My husband escaped and left me with our 3 children. The Interahawme broke into my house and 3 men raped me.

I stayed in my village for a while, but everybody would reject me after what happened. So a year later a decided to move to Bukavu. I came all the way by foot, it is over 100 km.

I had a boyfriend in Bukavu and we got a child. But after some time he abondened us, so I live on my own with my 4 children. I rent a room for $5 a month.

I work maybe 3 days a week, carrying bags with food. After the assault I was left with pain in my lower belly and have never managed to get treated, because I cannot afford it. So I will work whenever I can.

I dream of learning to read and write, for I would like to work on my own and stay here in Bukavu. Maybe I am lucky to find a good man and have a family again.