My Bonus Birthday

My name Eliane, I was born on 25th November 1976 in Gihanga, Burundi. These past few years I have been living here in the Netherlands. Although I did not come here as a refugee, it does not mean that I have no idea how it feels. Trust me, being a refugee in your own country is even harder than crossing a border.

Every year I celebrate my birthday, I think a lot of the night we had to run away, that night in October 1993 when civil war started in Burundi. We had to run from my village Murira, hiding between the trees. We slept in the bush for two nights, then we finally made it to the center of Gihanga where we could be protected by Soldiers.

That is the day I finally realized the hate between Hutu and Tutsi. As my parents raised me to be a Burundian citizen, they never thought that one day this war will crash! These were painful nights, I did not know how the future would look like for me. I did not know if I will ever reach my 40th birthday. In the refugee center we will wait to get food brought by the International organization called WFP.

We did not have clean water, no cloths. None of us took anything with us. So we got help on everything from abroad after a few days in the center. I am not going in details of misery of a chorela outbreak in our refugee center. How many people died on my watch. I survived it but nearly died as well. I guess God had a purpose for me so I would not die before I fulfill it! I was just on time to be treated! But every time in my thoughts came back the sound of people who were searching for us in Bush, saying "Tinga Ababaya", meaning search for bad people and I would see the light coming toward us.

I was dead scared and it took me many years to feel free even while I was in a safe country like the Netherlands. Sometimes the past does not stop hunting you down, you just need to stay positive and strong! I am grateful for this life, I was 17 years old when the war started and when I thought I would not grow older than 20. Since I am going to celebrate my 42nd birthday, I would like to dedicate my birthday to the refugees.There are now more than ever before!

These are my bonus years, and it would be great to make sure the unfortunate ones get help, just like me 25 years ago now. I've chosen to support Stichting Vluchtelingen because their mission means a lot to me, and I hope that you'll consider contributing as a way of celebrating with me. Every little bit will help reach my goal.

Peace,
Eliane