Hello, my name is Gladys. I am 24 years old from Goma, DRC. I am also a young mother to my 6 year old son Theophile.
life has been very hard for us since the M23 militia raided our city. Before then I was a fishmonger selling fish at the market which would earn us a living.
Then the raid happened in 2024 and everything changed. the M23 militia were capturing men,assaulting women and burning down homes but my son and me were so lucky to escae but his dad wasn’t and we have not heard anyything fom him since and dont know if he is alive or not.
We were foced to flee to the village but still insecurity here is very high with other small militia groups caturing villages making it hard for movement, business or my son going to school. survival is not easy as we have no one or anything to sustain us.
I wouldn't be here asking but as a mother I fear for mysons safety worrying every day about his next meal, safety,education and the kind of future he will have if we stay here. The conflict is not going away its getting tense by the day. I cannot just wait and hope anymore.
That is why I am here, begging for your help I just want us to survive and flee to safety where he can eat, go to school,laugh and play like other children. I want to be able to work again and give Theophile the life he deserves.
Please, if you can give anything no matter how small it will save us. It will feed my son. It will give us a chance to run to safety. You are our only hope now.
Thank you for reading my story. And thank you from the bottom of my heart for caring