Ruth’s husband was killed by Boko Haram extremists who attacked their home in Cameroon. For fear of the next attack, she and her children fled to the town of Mokolo, wondering what might happen next. When Ruth met other Christian women in a self-help group with similar experiences, she realised that she was not alone.
Through the self-help groups and the support of local Open Doors partners, women like Ruth can begin their own businesses and make a living for their families, no longer paralysed by fear.
VIDEO SCRIPT
Ruth – Self help group member
Well, at the time, before I joined this group, I had nothing but tears in my eyes every day. The haredim have had no sleep since I lost my husband, and I couldn’t sleep. And I had nothing but tears.
In the place where I was it was just me, God and my children. When the children heard gunfire, they said that Boko Haram would kill us just like their father. We shouldn’t stay there. We should leave with those who are fleeing. Every day they would cry at my side. And for me too. Every day the tears would flow.
Every day my tears would flow. Because I felt hurt. That I’ve been abandoned.
In April 2024 Ruth’s husband was killed by Islamic extremists who have been terrorizing Christians in Cameroon’s Far North region. With the threat of more violence ever present, Ruth and her five children fled to the town of Mokolo.
Ruth
One day, Mama Deborah met with me and said: ‘What is it, my daughter? Did you flee to Mokolo?
She said: ‘Come with us. Let’s pray together to the God who created you and your children. He’s not going to leave you. If you engage in prayer God will help you. And the bad thoughts will diminish from your head. That’s how I came to join this group.
Deborah – Self-help group leader
When women experience suffering, especially when the husband dies, just like happened to us here, with Boko Haram, you can even forget your God.
It’s not easy. Why? Because there’s no husband to provide food. Without them the woman has to go out to work in order to have something to prepare at home.
How it is in our group is that if someone is in difficulty, we collect some contributions to help her a little. She works with the credit she has been given, and she returns it with a little interest so that someone else can also come and use it.
In my group, some women produce cooking oil. Women sell peanuts. Other women sell corn. Other women sell beans.
There are 350 of these self-help groups in Cameroon, helping more than 6,000 women to find community, build up their face and support each other financially
Ruth
Back in the village, I was a tailor. When I came to Mokolo, I no longer had my sewing machine.
When I arrived here, they helped me. Mama Deborah told me that it would be a good idea to keep doing what I used to do, and so I got to borrow a machine from someone. And people in my neigborhood got to know that I am a tailor. I keep working in this area, and it helps me so much.
I pay for my children’s schooling with the money. I give them snacks to take to school, too.
In the group I’m in they have never abandoned me, even in times of sickness. We are together like sisters. They considered me their sister. We are sisters in Christ. I’m a.
Deborah
In the group that I formed I can see many things that have changed in their lives, you know. Well, I thank God very much. And I thank the people from outside because they have helped us a lot.
Ruth
Thank you for praying for us. Through this group, I found the courage to read the Bible, to sing with my children, and to pray with my children too. I’ve actually noticed that my faith is increasing, my faith that had cooled. I am getting back my faith from before.
I get impatient when I’m waiting for the prayer meeting, even if it is every day.
It gives me joy in the.
People Interviewed and their Titles
Ruth – Self-help group member
Deborah – Self-help group leader
Recording Location
Cameroon
Organization featured in this Story
Open Doors UK – www.opendoorsuk.org
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