15 heartbreaking drawings by child victims of Nigeria's deadly Boko Haram
During psycho-social therapy sessions, some children illustrated the trauma they witnessed. Umar, a child refugee in Chad, remembers assailants going into his school and shooting at children in several classrooms.
Another child refugee, Bulus, fled to Cameroon after the Boko Haram burned down his house. "We lost everything, even our mango tree which was on the court," Bulus says.
Sona, a child refugee in Cameroon, remembers the Boko Haram bombing the local church while the pastor was still inside.
They broke the legs of Mamoudou's father. "As he ran, they shot him and his feet were broken and he was transported," Mamoudou says.
In another drawing, Mamoudou illustrates everything his family lost in the crisis, including their fridge, television, clothes, phones, and livestock.
Fifteen-year-old Peter was separated from his family during the attack in Baga, Nigeria; still alive, they communicate by telephone. The refugee camp in Chad where Peter stays is located in a dry and desert-like environment. He misses the landscape and animals in Nigeria.
Others are left wondering the fates of their loved ones. Rita, 14, and her parents fled to Cameroon after the attack, but they don't know if her siblings survived. "Even though in our family we all have our differences, if one needs help, family will be always there for you," Rita says.
Atta Hinna drew her parents. "I miss them a lot," she says. "I do not know if they are still alive or are dead. Since the war began I have not seen them."
I lost my brother and our baby," says Mouhammadou. "I also lost my bike, and our car.
Little things matter. Falmata, a refugee in Chad, misses playing soccer with her brothers.
Jamila misses the bananas, fish, chickens, and fruits and vegetables that grew back home.
"I miss the access to the hospital in Baga when I get sick," says Sali, a 10-year-old refugee.
Boko Haram bombed my computer by bombarding our home in Nigeria, they destroyed everything," says Idrisa, a child refugee in Cameroon. "It was my father's computer but we could play with it. We lost our house. Now I miss the books, pencils, exercise book.
Nothing can rival the loss of a sibling. Saraya says, "I miss a lot of things, but especially my little sister Lia who died in the attacks of Boko Haram in Nigeria."
Many will have to start over. Mouhammadou says, "I lost my school. Our home is lost."
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