After fleeing violence in eastern DR Congo, JK, a 40-year-old mother of five, arrived at Musenyi refugee site in Burundi traumatized, separated from her children, and uncertain of her husband's fate. Through Save the Children's Child Protection and Gender-Based Violence programme, she received support that helped her regain confidence and begin rebuilding her life.
When violence erupted in Southern Kivu, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), in January 2025, JK's life changed overnight.
The 40-year-old mother of five was forced to flee her village after armed groups raided and looted the community. Amid the chaos, she survived physical and sexual violence, was separated from four of her children, and lost contact with her husband, who was abducted during the conflict.
"I sought refuge in a nearby church with other villagers before crossing into Burundi," JK recalls. "I had been separated from my children and had lost everything."
Upon arriving at Musenyi refugee site in southeastern Burundi, JK was referred to Save the Children's Child Protection and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) programme. She was experiencing severe emotional distress and struggling to interact with others.
"When she arrived, JK was distraught and deeply traumatized, she preferred to isolate herself and found it difficult to interact with any other person. Building trust took time, but our team remained committed to supporting her recovery," says Belissa Gloria Kaneza, a Save the Children case worker.
Save the Children has been operating in Musenyi site since 2024 in response to the influx of Congolese refugees. SC has been providing child protection and GBV prevention and response services at the site that accommodates over 21,000 refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Through dedicated case workers and community social workers, vulnerable children and adult survivors of violence are identified, referred, and linked to appropriate care and support.
Between May 2024 and June 2026, Save the Children's child protection and GBV prevention and response services supported 669 cases of women and girls, survivors of sexual violence, including 50 cases reported in June alone.
Depending on individual needs, survivors receive mental health and psychosocial support, counselling, medical referrals, and personalized follow-up services. Child protection teams also work closely with communities in the refugee site to promote children's rights and prevent violence, exploitation, abuse, and neglect.
For JK, participation in group therapy sessions marked the beginning of a new chapter. Surrounded by other survivors, she gradually regained confidence and began to look to the future with hope. Together with 50 other women, she also joined a cash-for-protection initiative that enabled her to start a small income-generating activity.
"I had completely lost hope. I could see danger in everyone I met and believed my future was gone. Today, I am beginning to rebuild my life," JK recounts.
Today, JK has since been reunited with two of her children and continues her recovery journey. While challenges remain, she is moving forward with renewed strength and determination.
Her story is a powerful testimony of the resilience of displaced women and the importance of timely, survivor-centered support in helping families affected by conflict rebuild their lives.
