RUNLIFE

FOR

YOUR

fightingnot to be pulled to the ground. We had no idea where we were going. We had no idea where was safe. Fires were spreading all around us, shop windows were being smashed.

We heard gun shots as a crowd of people surged in our direction. We grabbed each other’s hands tight as we got forced forwards-

We heard a scream l o u d e r than all the others as we saw a woman throwing herself into the flames in desperation for a way out. There were motionless bodies lying on the ground. We powered on with determination; stopping wasn’t an option.

I never knew I could run for so fast or for so long. But I’ve never feared for my life before. We turned off down a side street and hid behind a wall. In a rush of insanity we began to laugh, shortly followed by hysterical tears. I wondered if it was selfish to want to live when so many people around us hadn’t managed to do so. We’d lived in Africa for seven months, and until now had come across minimal trouble. Yet here we were in the middle of a political war. There seemed to be no way out. A sense of calm began to wash over us as we tried to mentally prepare ourselves for what might happen next.

dangerWe were in

safetySuddenly I saw a pair of eyes watching us from a door and we knew this could be a chance of

As we approached, we were hoping beyond anything that this wasn’t a trap.

‘Odi?’‘Yayi.’

‘Chonde?’‘Yayi!’

‘Pephani…chonde, nikupulika yayi.’ ‘…odini.’

‘Dowonga chomene.’

Reluctantly we were let in, just minutes before the street became swarmed with police. None of us dared to breath. The lady who had let us in was called Temwa. We stayed in that building together with her family for 36 hours, until silence washed over the city. Without Temwa, those hours could have turned out very differently.

In our exhausted and confused state, we left and wandered through the broken streets. It was time to leave. We struggled to come to terms with what had happened and it was hard not to wonder why we’d been so lucky. When you’re given a second chance, everything you do and everyone you love becomes invaluable.

BECAUSE LIFE

Helen Campbell

IS FORLIVING