Bigirimana, Samson
- Born: 1988
- Country: DR Congo
- Family: father, mother, 7 siblings (2 brothers killed during war)
- Grade: Secondary, needs educational assistance
Edited email(s):
I am a male Congolese born in the north eastern part of Kivu. I was born in 1988 in a village called Bunagoma Ruchuru sub-county in Goma District.
I am the first born among 8 children. My hobbies are dancing, playing football and swimming. In 1998 we fled to Uganda because of the tribal wars in Zaire the present day DR Congo. The war was fought between the Hutu and Tutsi; it was characterized by too much shading of blood. Especially boys were a target because they thought to be soldiers. Rwandese also backed the Tutsi of Congo as they fought with Hutu in Congo. So, the war was intensified by the Rwandan troops.
In the war I lost my two brothers who were killed using a hummer. They were among 100 people who were murdered in the church. When I heard of this I went to check whether my parents were not found in the church also. Because I could not tell where they were!
As soon as I entered the church, I stepped in pool of blood – I could not believe this. There were very many people still bleeding, some were dying. I began to save some people by carrying them out.
I immediately heard the footsteps of people; these were the murderers coming back so I jumped out of the church and hid myself behind a latrine. They checked in the church and found wounded people trying to gain their energy. After some time I went home to see whether my parents were still there. Fortunately they had gone. I also decided to run to Uganda, I could not find my parents so life became difficult for me.
Because I had no parents to help me get food I began a life of begging for food on the streets of Kisoro district in Uganda. A Red Cross member helped me move temporary camp called Nyakabando. There my thoughts became too much, I was sadden because I had not seen my father and family.
UNHCR became responsible and we were taken to Kyanywach. They gave us food which caused dangerous diseases, cholera and this killed many. I lived with my mother for a year and after that, I saw my father with other children coming sadly, my father had serious disease which cost much to treat and everything we had received from UNHCR would be sold to pay for his treatment.
After two years UNHCR stopped giving us food here I began a suffering life. I began to dig (farm) but, what I planted was eaten up by baboons and monkeys which were many in Kyangwali. In 2002 I began to attend a primary school in Kyangwali but I could not attend regularly because I had to chase away the baboons and monkeys out of my garden.
To get food and clothes I dig (farm) for others as you can see me on photo above. I wake up early in the morning and work until the evening, from Monday to Saturday. All my younger brothers and my father depended on my mother and me for their food.
I managed to complete my primary level. Now I try to attend secondary school but it is very difficult to get school fees and food.
I request well wishers to come to my aid because I know with an education I can make life easier for me and others.
Thank you very much, Samson