by Kaitlyn McDonald, Samaritan’s Purse Intern
September, 2013—Zawadi proudly held out her newborn baby for me to see. He slept peacefully in his mother’s arms, unaware of the turmoil that brought his family to this place.
“I ran because I heard guns,” Zawadi said when I asked her how she came to this transit center in Uganda. “There was no time to pack anything. I left with my husband and two-year-old son and we only brought the clothes on our back.”
Zawadi is one of thousands of refugees who have fled from the Democratic Republic of the Congo since fighting erupted in July. Like Zawadi, most ran when the rebels drew near. They left behind their homes and livelihoods, bringing only their loved ones with them.
Zawadi said that although the journey to the Ugandan border was only one day on foot, the trip was difficult for her, as she was nine months pregnant. When they reached the border, Zawadi became separated from her husband among the throngs of refugees.
She had no choice but to move on to a refugee camp so she could take care of her son and unborn child. She was brought to the transit center, where she has been for the last week. It was here that she gave birth to her healthy baby boy, now only a few days old.
As Zawadi shared her story, I tried to imagine myself in her place. We are both 23 years old, but the responsibilities and burdens she carries exceed anything I have ever known. She misses her husband and her home. And she does not know what the future holds for her young family. Will they ever be able to find a secure place to call home?
Yet Zawadi remains strong and hopeful. She is grateful that her children are safe, and she is confident that she will be reunited with her husband. She prays that God will meet her family’s daily needs, and she trusts that her prayers will be answered.
Before leaving Zawadi, I told her that I will pray for her and that I will the same. Please keep Zawadi, her family, and fellow refugees in your prayers during this time of upheaval and uncertainty. And please pray that Samaritan’s Purse will be able to help meet the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the people of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
In the midst of political crisis around the world, Samaritan's Purse stands ready to meet the needs of citizens and our partners on the ground. Your gift allows us to supply basic necessities and offer emotional and spiritual support.