Zambia: Manda's escape from the Democratic Republic of Congo

Manda was just a little girl when she had to flee with her parents and five siblings: The family lived in the village of Pweto in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The mineral-rich east of the country has been plagued by conflict for over 30 years. Numerous armed groups fight for power and control over the natural resources, resulting in widespread political instability and immense human suffering to this day.

Manda vividly remembers the morning she was forced to leave: Suddenly, she heard gunshots. The next moment, her mother grabbed her, her little sister, and anything else she could reach, and they fled. They barely had time to think about where to go: The gunfire was getting closer and closer, so they simply ran into a nearby 
forest. For four days, they trekked through unfamiliar terrain. They survived on sweet potatoes they found and drank water from streams that weren't safe to drink. For Manda, as a young girl, the long walks were especially exhausting: Her legs swelled up more and more. After crossing the border into Zambia, they were met by Zambian soldiers, taken to the Kenani refugee camp, and finally transferred to the Mantapala camp. 

“When we arrived, everything suddenly changed: For the first time, we felt safe again. There is no war here, we don’t have to fear violence. We have access to clean water, there is enough to eat, and I can go to school,” says Manda. Today, Manda is 16 years old, has lived in the camp for many years, and attends the seventh grade at the local school. Terre des Hommes partner organization, Caritas Mansa, offers children like Manda and their families psychosocial counseling and emotional support so they can process and cope with their trauma. Caritas Mansa also creates economic opportunities for young refugees.