Stories
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Pauline's StoryPauline was four months pregnant, a young wife and mother in her twenties in 2002 when rebels during the first civil conflict of Ivory Coast captured, tortured and repeatedly gang raped her. Her attackers left her unconscious and bleeding in the brush. One man discovered she was alive and carried her unconscious body to safety. Pauline bled for months leading to severe medical complications. Despite seven fistula surgeries and a hysterectomy, Pauline still need treatment. BRAID Africa is seeking a specialist and funds to repair Pauline’s fistula.
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Patricia's StoryPatricia was 18 years old when she was kidnapped and held captive for three months in 2011. She endured daily rapes and beatings. Head trauma from beatings left her almost deaf. BRAID Africa arranged for surgery to remove blood clots impairing Patricia’s hearing. Although the operation was successful, Patricia needs several follow-up procedures to keep her ears free of new clots and ensure she heals properly. Patricia lives in the remote area which is 13 hours drive from the city where she receives treatments. BRAID Africa is now raising funds for Patricia’s continued treatments to ensure restoration of her hearing and enable her to pursue her dream of attending vocational classes to study design and tailoring.
With $250 a month BRAID Africa can provide transportation, accommodation and continue treatment for Patricia |
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Genevieve's StoryGenevieve* was just 11 years old when she watched rebels torture and kill her father. Genevieve and her mother ran, but the rebels caught up with them and on the same horrific day she watched her father die, Genevieve counted more than twenty rebels who gang raped and finally brutally murdered her mother in front of her. Then they turned to the terrified child and took turns raping her. Genevieve lost consciousness, and her attackers left her for dead. When she regained consciousness, battered and alone, the traumatized child made her way across the border. Villagers where she first stopped rebuffed her. She eventually made her way to a refugee camp. Six years later, Genevieve lives listlessly day to day in the refugee camp, still haunted by horrifying memories. She barely survives since food has been cut off as part of a plan to repatriate refugees to Ivory Coast. Genevieve has no wish to return to Ivory Coast, the place that holds such terrifying memories. Genevieve faces her days with a sense of hopelessness. She was referred to BRAID Africa after camp staff found her sitting by the road in the dirt weeping.
*Genevieve is still a minor, so her name has been changed and no photo appears |