Louise, DRC "I was raped when I was eleven"

"I fled the fighting in Kisangani and tried to find my parents who live in Bumba in Equateur province. The trip with the pirogue [a boat] took three days. I finally found them on an island and have been helping them by selling fish at the market.

When my sister and I were on our way home a military man came with a torch. He was a soldier running away from the rebellion. My sister said, 'please don't dazzle us, we are not street kids.' The soldier grabbed and threatened her. He said, 'I saw you already in the morning. Don't insult me.' Then he said, 'I prefer your sister.'

He grabbed me by my shirt and pushed me to the river. I began crying but nobody came because the people were afraid of the military. He had a grenade and a knife that he pointed at my throat and said, "if you keep crying they will find your body in the river."

He hurt my wrists when he dragged me into the forest. Then he threatened me again with his knife. I told him, 'I prefer to die.' I tried to run away and he strangled and kicked me. He tore my dress and my underwear and pressed his hand on my face and the knife into my back. Then he raped me.

When I saw blood I felt dizzy. Then I fainted. I was 11 years old and did not have menstruation then.

A woman found me and brought me to the hospital. I lost my mind and did not know where I was. They treated me there. I suffered from a fistula [as a result of the rape]. I've had many problems since then.

When I was in hospital a group of military men came and asked me to identify the man. He was arrested and sent to the prison in Bumba. Later they told us that he was sent back to the fighting and that he died. I don't know if this is true. But I will recognise him again, if I see him.

My aunt brought me here to the Caritas-school and the only thing I want now is to learn how to make dresses."