Charlessta is a 16 years old female Liberian refugee. She had been staying on the camp since their exodus to Oru Camp, Nigeria in July 2003. The armed conflict between Charles Taylor and the rebels forced her family to come down to Nigeria without adequate preparation. The only belonging that a family of six brought with them was contained in a black traveling bag. Charlessta just finished high school in Liberia. She had done the qualifying exams for school of nursing, but had not heard the outcome when the rebels broke into her region and they had to run for cover.
Answering in a low tone, without any glitter or excitement in her Liberian accent she said, “When I wake up, I have my bath then clean up our room (a space in a tent provided by UNHCR). If mama is around we might cook, but if not, I go buy food to eat and then go meet my friends in the other tents, they sometimes come here too. We usually discuss, sing songs and play around in the camp. When I’m tired of playing and hungry, I buy food and eat if I have money, but if not I… I… I… (She pauses, tears streaming down her beautiful round face), I just go to my tent and cry. I don’t like this place; see where we are staying, torn tents with cold and mosquito at night! Oh God! There isn’t much here, I’ll like to work to earn some money to eat but the menial jobs available at sawmills are for men. They do not employ people like me. I desire to go to school of nursing but here I am in Nigeria, a refugee, all to no fault of mine. I don’t like this life, I’m wasting away. I want to go back to Liberia; I want to be a nurse. See! My brother left for Lagos in search of a job since 3 weeks ago, without telling us, my mother has been sick because of his disappearance, everything is just upside down. When will all this end?”
Tears filled my eyes, I couldn’t help crying too. I hugged her and both of us had a good cry that lasted for 20 minutes. It was refreshing for Charlessta, she had bottled up a lot of emotions and I just happened to be around at that moment to share in her pain. I was glad I rendered a helping hand. That visit left a lasting impression on me. Charlessta and I became close friends; I made a commitment to be there for her in my own little way. I wish I could sponsor her to a nursing school in Nigeria but I do not have such resources now.
The experience got me thinking. Why should a young lady like her waste away on a daily basis? Why should Charlessta’s future be thwarted because of someone’s deed?
Civil wars and armed conflict will get us no where. If only we could sit to reflect on the consequences of some of our actions? If only we could have a re-think and follow the path of peace? If only we could measure the damage that happens when we have wars? If only we can have a deep reflection? Then will we realise that we need war no more in Africa and elsewhere.
« return.