Voices from Darfur
As the conflict in Darfur enters its sixth year, residents of camps in North Darfur share their hopes for the future.
Abdallah
I hope to find work so I can gain an income for my family. I keep trying but here there are too many people looking for too few jobs. I have 17 children and in the past we were well off – we had cows, donkeys, goats – and I could provide for them easily. But now we are in this camp we have to depend on what’s provided by aid organisations. I am very grateful but I want the opportunity to support myself, my wife and my children again.
Photo: Alun McDonald
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Life in Darfur
- Despite facing an uncertain future, life goes on for the people of Darfur.
- Darfur interactive map
Rauda
This is my youngest son, Farrah. He's nine months old and was born here in the camp. It's much more difficult to give birth and raise a child here than back home in the village. It's hard to buy good food here for babies and pregnant women. He doesn't even have a bed - he has to sleep with me on the floor of our shelter. But at least here there are schools. My wish, my prayer, is that Farrah grows up healthy and safe here in Al Salaam next year and eventually has a good education.
Photo: Alun McDonald
Halima (7 years old)
I have started school and I like it very much. I get to be with my friends and I also get to learn how to be clever. This year I want to become one of the best students, and read and do sums very well. I hope that next year I can learn to speak English. I want to be a teacher or a doctor when I am older so that I can help people.
Photo: Alun McDonald
Zeinab
I hope to have new jerry cans to help me carry more water to my children. At the moment I have only one jerry can for my family of ten people. I've had it for a year and it's old and battered. I use the water for drinking, cooking, washing clothes, washing the children. One jerry can only lasts about three hours then I have to queue for hours to fill it up again.
Photo: Alun McDonald
Karima (age 12)
I want the camp to stay healthy next year. There are so many diseases here because there are so many people and we all have to live in very simple conditions. I sing songs at public gatherings to warn other children of the dangers of diarrhoea and malaria, and how to protect themselves from getting sick, and I hope that I can make a difference and improve the lives of the people.
Photo: Alun McDonald
Hassaniya
I want to feel safe. We arrived here only 15 days ago - we had to run as there was fighting near our village. We have nothing now. We are sleeping here under the trees. My husband is out looking for help. My children need shelter, blankets, food and water.
Photo: Alun McDonald
Ahmed (16 years old)
We need peace. There is too much killing, too much violence, too much fighting. I want my sisters to have normal lives. All of us here want peace, and we need the world's help to make it happen.
Photo: Alun McDonald
