Left Behind, but Not Forgotten: A Story of Courage and Compassion in Jos, Plateau State

It was a warm afternoon in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria, when I met two little children whose presence stopped me in my tracks. Their eyes told a story far deeper than their young age could hold—eyes that had seen pain before they could even speak.

They were sitting quietly near a shelter made of rusted metal and torn plastic sheets. Their clothes were worn, their faces covered with dust, and their small hands clutched each other for comfort. When I lifted them into my arms, they clung to me as if they had been waiting for someone to remind them that love still exists.

As I learned more about their story, my heart shattered. These precious children were born as a result of sexual violence during the crises—their mothers victims of the brutality that often comes with war. Their beginnings were marked by pain, fear, and rejection. Many saw them as reminders of tragedy rather than symbols of innocence.

But to me, they were not mistakes. They were miracles of survival.

From Pain to Purpose

I, too, am a survivor of the Boko Haram insurgency. I know the sound of chaos, the fear of running, and the ache of loss. I have seen entire communities vanish overnight. But I also know what it means to be spared—to wake up after the storm and realize you are still breathing.

That day, as I held those children, I felt something awaken within me. I understood that survival carries purpose. If I could survive such darkness, then I could also bring light to others still trapped in it.

The Forgotten Faces of Conflict

In many communities affected by insurgency, children born from rape are often abandoned or rejected. Their mothers, already traumatized, face shame, isolation, and even violence. These children grow up without care, caught between a past they did not choose and a future uncertain.

I could not turn away. I began visiting women and children who had survived similar horrors—offering what little I had: food, comfort, and hope. I listened to their stories, wept with them, and reminded them that they were not alone.

Little by little, I saw hearts begin to heal. Women who once felt broken started finding strength again. Children who had forgotten how to smile began to laugh. I realized that love can heal even the deepest wounds.

Comfort: My Name, My Calling

My name, Comfort, has become my mission. I strive to comfort the hurting, stand beside the forgotten, and remind every survivor that their story is not over. From crisis to compassion, my journey has taught me that even in ashes, purpose can bloom.

Today, I work closely with displaced women and children—many of them survivors of gender-based violence—helping them rebuild their lives through counseling, education, and empowerment.

A Sisterhood of Strength

Joining World Pulse has connected me with a global family of women who understand this journey—women who are using their voices to heal and change the world. Together, we are proof that pain can be transformed into power.

I share this story not just to speak of tragedy, but to highlight resilience and rebirth. These children are no longer just victims of crisis—they are living testaments to the strength of women who refuse to be defeated.

A Message of Hope

To every woman who has endured violence, loss, or rejection—please know this: you are not what happened to you. You are a light, a healer, and a survivor.

If these children can still smile, and if women like us can rise again, then there is hope for every wounded heart.

💛 We cannot change how their stories began, but together, we can rewrite how they continue—one act of compassion at a time.

---

About the Author

Comfort Okiemute Ogbuwawa is a humanitarian advocate from Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria, passionate about helping women and children displaced by conflict. A survivor of the Boko Haram insurgency, she dedicates her life to empowering others through compassion, storytelling, and community outreach.

🌍 Comfort believes that every story of survival carries a seed of purpose—and that when women rise, communities heal.

💬 Connect with Comfort on World Pulse to share ideas, collaborate, or support her mission to bring hope and healing to survivors of violence and displacement.