Reconciliation of Refugees Returning from Exile.

IPB APRIL 2022 NARRATIVE REPORT

Context

Following the recent complete left up of all sanctions imposed to Burundi in 2016, the current context is characterized by the   massive returns of refugees from exile and the visible reduction of the COVID 19 pandemic in one hand. In the other hand, the negative effects following the Russian invasion to Ukraine in matter of lack of fuel is affecting majority of communities here in Burundi

In contributing to this context, IPB conducted on April 11-13 a HROC Basic workshop with 20 repatriated women to deal with trauma endured within the Refugees’ camp and reinforce the social cohesion and economic resilience to promote the community wellbeing.

Participants are also introduced to the Self Help Group approach for effective community reintegration..

Key success stories

Marthe

Since the Somalia UN Security Mission started we prayed that my husband could participate. Our prayers were exhausted. At his return, he destroyed the house lying on me that he wanted to rehabilitate it.   I enjoyed the idea and contributed in that destruction.

The time we were destroying it, my husband were moving all items to his second wife. When I learnt that he lied behind me, I got crazy.  He thought that without house I could left the property. Under God’s strengthen, I succeed to manage what happened through prayers and advises from my family.   

In this workshop, I come to learn thing very important for me that is: “after traumatic events, life must continue”.

I” m in the process to rebuild the house destroyed by my husband. To become part of the Self Help Group is to get a new community and family. It will help me get follow up that will lead me to recovery from the trauma I do hold today

 Marie Rose

I was shocked by the fact I didn’t follow any studies as the rest of my family members.

My mother was the first to sensitize my father to not send me at school saying that female is there for housework. I was obliged to stay home for cooking general cleanings.

Due to that situation I got married at 18 age old. At the beginning, life was as proud as my husband was a business man. After one year, he got a car accident and stayed at the hospital for two years. I expected that my brothers who attended school could recognize that I did all house work to allow them take studies.

The main response was: “sorry, we have so many family obligations, we don’t have extra fund to look before your needs. I’m glad that I come to learn about trauma and the way to recovery from since I saw that I do have it. The other important thing is that I’m going to be part of the Self Help Group dealing with economic resilience.

I’m going to sensitize about Trauma, its consequences and the way to recover from it as I do have family members living under it.

Reported by Elie Nahimana

Project Leader

• Personal journey of healing session (DOCX)