Survivor Stories

SHE CAME TO PANZI FEELING WORTHLESS, SHE LEFT EMPOWERED

Judith carried a heavy burden for months. After finding healing and forgiveness at Panzi, she has now found the strength to encourage other survivors of sexual violence to speak out.

In Bukavu, water shortages are a daily reality. Like so many girls, Judith* had no choice but to walk to the Wesha spring in the middle of the night, to fetch water. That’s where she was attacked and raped, during one of those late trips, at 3am in the morning.

For six months, she carried a heavy burden, alone, paralyzed by fear and shame until she could no longer hide it: at only 16, she had fallen pregnant. In search for help, she made her way to the Mwabana center where she was immediately referred to Panzi Hospital.

In 2025, Panzi Hospital received between 80-130 survivors of sexual violence per month. 30% of these women and girls receiving care at our facility, were under the age of 18.

Her journey of recovery began at the Legal Clinic, where she found the courage to break the silence, and consider pursuing justice against her aggressor.

Her journey of recovery began at the Legal Clinic

My parents, understanding what I had been through, opened their arms and welcomed me back home.

Her healing journey could finally begin, and she gave birth shortly after to a healthy baby boy. With the medical and psychological support she received from the Panzi team, she was able to return home to her family, who chose forgiveness over judgment and welcomed her back with open arms, through our family reintegration program.

Maison Dorcas offered Judith a new hope, welcoming her into vocational training. Having dropped out of school because of the prejudice and stigma in her community, she had lost hope in her future. Judith received training in pastry-making, a new opportunity that would enable her to achieve economic self-sufficiency, and take care of her son.

“They gave me more than a technical skill, this is the foundation of my future business, a solid path to raising my son independently. ”

Today, Judith is a baker, she makes bread, doughnuts, and cakes for different community events and celebrations.

Judith came to Panzi as a girl who had been made to feel worthless and left as an empowered woman. Now she wants to be a voice in her community and encourage other survivors of sexual violence to come forward and reclaim their dignity.

Disclaimer: The name used in this story is a pseudonym to safeguard the survivor’s privacy. Any photos accompanying this content are illustrative only and do not represent the individuals involved