Hope Means Seeing Her Children Again

Friday, July 3, 2026

Mariam's life had already been turned upside down by the loss of her husband long before violence disrupted the peace of her village. But the true turning point in her life came the day radical armed groups prepared to attack her village, Wara, in the commune of Mafounè.

When the first gunshots rang out, Mariam had only enough time to gather four of her children and flee. The other three left with their father’s brothers to the city of San. Heartbroken, she found refuge in Tominian.

The first days were extremely difficult: with only the clothes they were wearing, without food, Mariam did everything she could to ensure her children did not fall asleep on empty stomachs. The little money she had, she devoted entirely to their survival. In the months that followed, she transformed the néré seeds she had carried with her into soumbala, which she sold to feed her children. But soon, her meager stock was exhausted.

In Tominian, the local social development service helped her find accommodation. This gesture was a first comfort, but far from enough to ease the pain of being separated from her children in San. Every day, Mariam knocked on neighbours doors, offering her hands to wash laundry in exchange for a few coins.

Relief came through World Vision's Global Emergency Rapid Fund food assistance project, funded by World Vision Netherlands and World Vision US. Mariam was among 102 households that received food assistance, including 50 kg of rice, 25 kg of beans, 5 litres of oil, sugar and salt.

“I am very happy to have received this food. If I manage to save a little money, I will go see my children in San. I miss them so much…” she said, her eyes shining with hope..

Despite this joy, one worry remained: her eldest daughter, Awa, was forced to abandon school because their administrative documents were lost during the flight. Refusing to let her daughter’s future fade, Mariam directed her to a sewing workshop. Although the family continues to face challenges, Mariam has found ways to help her children rebuild their lives. Her daughter is learning tailoring skills, while her three sons are training with a local motorcycle mechanic.

Each night, Mariam relived the nightmare of her escape. Yet deep in her heart, she held onto hope: that one day she would return to Wara, reunite with her neighbors, resume the gardening she missed so dearly, and above all, gather her children around her once again.