Providing health care to 1000s in Bujumbura slum

STORIES

Albertine 45 years old:

I used to follow my colleagues without knowing what we were doing. I even wondered why not do it at home, as many of us live close to each other, but I realized that we need follow-up and training, and that there are internal conflicts that need rules to follow in order to move forward properly.

This is the first time in my life that I've seen a female condom, and having learned how to use one, I've just had all my questions answered, and rumours are under control in my life for the moment. No woman will lie about contraceptives in my presence, and I'm going to raise awareness myself and make sure that all my acquaintances attend NTASEKA clinic

I was afraid to use the intrauterine device because of the rumors around it, but now I'm going to come to the appointment because I'm on the injection at the moment,

Clementine 37 years: I have learned that most of the problems are caused by us because we do not know how the groups are organized. Today we know that every SHG member in the team has a say and must pursue the wealth of the team.

Jeanne 28 years: these lessons are very useful when you ask us what the organization has done. I heard people who have achieved great things like having a plot of land. I was inspired by the strategies they used. Through this workshop I have now set my vision for the next five years. I believe I will never be the same.

We have found that there are people who did not come to joke here at Ntaseka. I was surprised to hear what other women have achieved. They found that I accompanied others. I have been considering the amount we save as very small, and I have even been wasting the loans I was given by my self-help group members.

 These teachings have opened our minds and we are going to change. You are going to see it when you come back for evaluation.

Aisha aged 16: Thank you FWA for all this information that we have searched for so much, we have friends who deceive us to take advantage of us but today I have just understood all the harm of being irresponsible and I will protect myself and protect my friends so that my future is secure, I am grateful that you gave your address because sometimes we have questions related to sexual health but we do not have the center to welcome us, if you can develop the call center for young people it will be great

Evelyne aged 23: I had a lot of questions about the causes of sterility but today I have just received a lot of answers. We must also train our parents to educate children well. This information is very rich. Please make sure to address other health topics and extend your audience. Many here in these northern districts of Bujumbura are at risk. Thank you very much for your contribution today. We will visit your center for a lot of information

Viviane 19 years old: Thank you FWA for this training, I had vaginal discharge and itching and I thought it was normal for the poor but I just understood all the elements behind it and I will come for medical consultation as soon as possible and do everything you said for prevention

Edgar aged 22: Thank you Ntaseka. I did not know that being circumcised is important and is a need to prevent infections. We boys need information on masturbation when FWA comes back here and we will also come to have more clarification on sexuality. Thank you for agreeing to come here we have benefited and we will use all this information with our friends.

• FWA_AUGUST_REPORT_2024_VFcompressed_1.pdf (PDF)
  

Stories

“I married a man but I suffered trauma from the first childbirth, as we saw in JOHARI's window. I have a secret that no one else knows; my husband never buys me a fabric that is used to put a baby on the back (in our culture it is very important to buy this fabric as father). He buys everything necessary for the baby but he never buys this kind of fabric. I thought it was because I had given birth to girls but also for boys it was the same case.

He has often told me that I look ugly; that he made a mistake to marry me, that I am a stupid woman, he used to enjoy disgracing me in public and he beat me. I remained calm and easily forgave him because I am a Christian.

Something that has disappointed me and left a serious wound in my heart is that he left me with 7 very young children. I endured all these things to see that he would have pity on my children. Now, I live in poverty; I have a 2 month old child, and I am unable to work to feed my children.

I thank you for thinking on vulnerable people like us, I feel peaceful in my heart and I feel that I have recharged myself in this workshop.”

“My name is Odette, I am an unhappy woman; I married a husband who had two small children who were suffering from malnutrition. I remember how I often put them on my back even when I was pregnant, but my husband’s reward was the worst. Every week he has to beat me. If you look at my body, I have a lot of scars. He doesn't give us anything to eat, I know how hunger hurts. I have a child who is now 2 years old and has not yet walked. My husband has refused that we go to a medical doctor to see what is wrong with our kid.

I do everything to attract my husband, but it's rare that we have an intimate relationship with my husband. I know He has another wife. Sometimes when he comes back home, he tells me that I'm dirty, and that he has found another beautiful woman.

All this transformed me as you indicated into the signs of a traumatized person. I became aggressive towards my children and others. Sometimes I plan to take revenge in a wrong way. One day I should commit a crime but due to this training I understood my suffering and I think that I will be able to manage my depression in a good way to finally recover from trauma”

• FWA_MAY_2024_NARRATIVE_REPORT.doc (DOC)