My Personal Experience

"My name is Umar, and I am 17 years old. I come from a quiet village in Borno, a place where we lived simply but happily—until the day everything changed.

It started like any other morning. The sun rose, casting its golden light over our fields, and the village was alive with the sounds of daily life. But by afternoon, the peace was shattered. Bandits stormed our community, their shouts and gunfire echoing through the air. They rounded up everyone—men, women, and children—and forced us to march away from the only home we had ever known.

We were taken to a remote location, deep in the wilderness. Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months. We lived in constant fear, unsure of what the next moment might bring. They fed us just enough to survive, keeping us in cramped, harsh conditions. It was a nightmare I wouldn’t wish on anyone.

When we were finally released, the relief was overwhelming, but it quickly gave way to despair. Returning to our village, we found ruins where our homes and school once stood. The bandits had taken not just our freedom but our future as well.

My family had lost everything—our home, our livelihood, and our sense of security. There was no time to grieve. We had to rebuild our lives from scratch, and I had to step up. I dropped out of school to help my parents, working tirelessly to provide for my younger siblings and repair what little we could.

Still, I refuse to let that day define my future. The pain and loss have fueled a determination within me. I dream of becoming a military officer, not just to defend my family but to protect my entire community from ever experiencing such horror again. I want to stand on the frontlines, ensuring that no one else is forced to live through what we endured.

Even though the road ahead is uncertain, I hold onto my vision of a safer, stronger Borno—a place where children can grow up without fear and where communities can thrive in peace. My journey may be difficult, but I know my purpose, and I will not give up until I see it fulfilled."