"My usual day begins at 7 o’clock
when I get up to cook breakfast for my husband
and our six children, aged between two and
eight. After tidying the tent, I go to the
market where I sell some of our food.
Although I have higher education there are
no opportunities for me to work in my specialty,
which is why in order to earn some money I
have to leave the children at home alone,
and go to the market every day.
We are grateful to the humanitarian charitable
organizations for their help, but it is impossible
to live hoping only for the assistance offered
by them. My husband, despite his poor eye-sight
and delicate health, is always in search of
a job.
Before the war we lived in the Shelkovskoy
District in our own house which is completely
destroyed now. We have lost everything in
this war – our relatives and friends,
our property, belief in our state, and all
tranquillity and confidence in tomorrow.
I am not going to return to Chechnya while
it is so unsafe. Many young people are killed
or maimed everyday. Perhaps I may get shelter
and a job there, but there will be no security.
I am a mother who is afraid for her children
and who wants them to live in peace and harmony.
I want to express gratitude to Islamic Relief
for their support and the donor agency that
sponsored the humanitarian action."