{"id":2958,"date":"2016-02-05T14:11:35","date_gmt":"2016-02-05T14:11:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.unhcr.org\/spotlight\/?p=2958"},"modified":"2019-05-28T09:44:32","modified_gmt":"2019-05-28T09:44:32","slug":"most-important-thing-angola","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.unhcr.org\/spotlight\/2016\/02\/most-important-thing-angola\/","title":{"rendered":"The most important thing I carried when I fled\u00a0Angola"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ inner_shadow=”on” fullwidth=”on” disabled_on=”on||” _builder_version=”3.17.6″ background_image=”https:\/\/www.unhcr.org\/spotlight\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2015\/01\/h2-TMIT_Angola_08_Sebastian_RF1104197_60050.jpg” background_position=”top_center” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” next_background_color=”#000000″][et_pb_fullwidth_header header_fullscreen=”on” scroll_down_icon_color=”#0072bc” button_one_text=”Their stories” button_one_url=”#anchor-2″ background_overlay_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” content_max_width=”500px” _builder_version=”3.17.6″ title_font=”|700|||||||” title_font_size=”80″ title_font_size_tablet=”65″ title_font_size_phone=”50″ title_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” title_line_height=”0.9″ title_text_shadow_style=”preset3″ content_text_shadow_style=”preset3″ subhead_font=”|600|||||||” subhead_text_color=”#f4f4f4″ subhead_font_size=”29px” subhead_font_size_phone=”20px” subhead_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” subhead_line_height=”1.1em” subhead_text_shadow_style=”preset3″ background_color=”rgba(255, 255, 255, 0)” button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_size__hover=”null” button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_size__hover=”null” button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_color__hover=”null” button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_color__hover=”null” button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_width__hover=”null” button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_width__hover=”null” button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_color__hover=”null” button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_color__hover=”null” button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_radius__hover=”null” button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_radius__hover=”null” button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_letter_spacing__hover=”null” button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_letter_spacing__hover=”null” button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_bg_color__hover=”null” button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_bg_color__hover=”null”]<\/p>\n

Angola<\/span><\/p>\n

The Most Important Thing<\/h1>\n

Photography by Brian Sokol<\/span><\/p>\n

What would you bring if violence or persecution forced you to flee your country?<\/p>\n

5 February 2016<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_fullwidth_header][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ inner_shadow=”on” fullwidth=”on” disabled_on=”off|on|on” _builder_version=”3.17.6″ background_color=”#000000″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” prev_background_color=”#ffffff” next_background_color=”#ffffff”][et_pb_fullwidth_header scroll_down_icon_color=”#0072bc” button_one_text=”Their stories” button_one_url=”#anchor-2″ background_overlay_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” content_max_width=”500px” _builder_version=”3.17.6″ title_font=”|700|||||||” title_font_size=”80″ title_font_size_tablet=”65″ title_font_size_phone=”50″ title_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” title_line_height=”0.9″ subhead_font=”|600|||||||” subhead_text_color=”#f4f4f4″ subhead_font_size=”29px” subhead_font_size_phone=”20px” subhead_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” subhead_line_height=”1.1em” background_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0)” button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_size__hover=”null” button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_size__hover=”null” button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_color__hover=”null” button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_color__hover=”null” button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_width__hover=”null” button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_width__hover=”null” button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_color__hover=”null” button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_color__hover=”null” button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_radius__hover=”null” button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_radius__hover=”null” button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_letter_spacing__hover=”null” button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_letter_spacing__hover=”null” button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_bg_color__hover=”null” button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_bg_color__hover=”null”]<\/p>\n

Angola<\/span><\/p>\n

The Most Important Thing<\/h1>\n

Photography by Brian Sokol<\/span><\/p>\n

What would you bring if violence or persecution forced you to flee your country?<\/p>\n

5 February 2016<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_fullwidth_header][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ disabled_on=”|on|on” _builder_version=”3.0.89″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” prev_background_color=”#000000″ next_background_color=”#f4f4f4″][et_pb_row make_fullwidth=”on” use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”3.17.6″ background_image=”https:\/\/www.unhcr.org\/spotlight\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2019\/04\/TMIT_Angola_01_Maria_RF1104199_60046.jpg” module_alignment=”center”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.unhcr.org\/spotlight\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2019\/04\/TMIT_Angola_08_Sebastian_RF1104197_60050.jpg” show_bottom_space=”off” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”3.17.6″ \/][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”off|” module_id=”anchor-2″ _builder_version=”3.0.89″ background_color=”#f4f4f4″ prev_background_color=”#ffffff” next_background_color=”#ffffff”][et_pb_row custom_padding=”0px||0px|” background_position_1=”top_left” background_position_2=”top_left” background_repeat_1=”no-repeat” background_repeat_2=”no-repeat” _builder_version=”3.0.89″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”caption” module_class=”caption” _builder_version=”3.17.6″ text_font_size=”12px” module_alignment=”right” \/][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” custom_margin=”50px||50px|” _builder_version=”3.0.89″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_margin_phone=”35px|0px|0px|35px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_divider color=”#424242″ _builder_version=”3.17.6″ custom_margin=”|0px||0px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|” custom_padding=”|0px||0px” \/][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.17.6″ text_font=”|600|||||||” custom_margin=”|50px||50px” custom_margin_phone=”|0px||0px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”|0px||0px”]<\/p>\n

They fled Angola nearly empty-handed. Now finally returning home, some after decades in exile, 11 refugees present their most cherished belongings.<\/h2>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider color=”#424242″ _builder_version=”3.17.6″ custom_margin=”|0px||0px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|” custom_padding=”|0px||0px” \/][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ disabled_on=”||on” _builder_version=”3.17.6″ background_image=”https:\/\/www.unhcr.org\/spotlight\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2019\/05\/TMIT-Angola_map23MAY2019_Mobile-1.png” custom_padding=”300px||300px|” prev_background_color=”#f4f4f4″ next_background_color=”#ffffff”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.89″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ disabled_on=”||on” _builder_version=”3.0.89″ prev_background_color=”#000000″ next_background_color=”#000000″][et_pb_row use_custom_width=”on” width_unit=”off” custom_width_percent=”100%” use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ _builder_version=”3.0.89″ module_alignment=”center”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”intro” disabled_on=”||off” _builder_version=”3.17.6″ header_font_size=”36px” header_font_size_tablet=”28px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_margin=”50px|0px|0px|” custom_padding=”|25px|0px|25px”]<\/p>\n

If war and violence tore apart your country and you were forced to suddenly run for your life, what would you bring with you?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.17.6″ custom_margin=”25px|0px|0px|” custom_padding=”|25px|0px|25px” animation_style=”fade” animation_delay=”650ms”]<\/p>\n

Photographer Brian Sokol, working with UNHCR staff around the world, has posed this question to hundreds of people who have experienced this terror first-hand. The resulting photo project, \u201cThe Most Important Thing,\u201d provides surprising and thoughtful answers to this question.<\/p>\n

This instalment focuses on Angolan refugees who fled as long as 50 years ago to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Amazingly, many still possess the items they took when they fled, having saved them as reminders of lost loved ones or mementos of a past way of life. With Angola at peace since 2002, many refugees hope to bring these items full circle on the journey home.<\/p>\n

Past subjects of this project include Malian refugees in Burkina Faso; Syrians in Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan; Sudanese in South Sudan; and Central Africans in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ disabled_on=”on|on|” module_class=”ds-advent-25-section nomobilebackground” _builder_version=”3.17.6″ background_image=”https:\/\/www.unhcr.org\/spotlight\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2019\/05\/TMIT-Angola_map23MAY2019_Desktop.png” parallax=”on” custom_margin=”0px||0px|” animation_style=”fade” animation_duration=”1500ms” prev_background_color=”#ffffff” next_background_color=”#ffffff”][et_pb_row padding_right_2=”0px” padding_left_2=”75px” _builder_version=”3.0.89″][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][et_pb_text admin_label=”intro” disabled_on=”||off” _builder_version=”3.17.6″ header_font_size=”36px” header_font_size_tablet=”28px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_margin=”50px|0px|0px|” custom_padding=”|0px|0px|”]<\/p>\n

If war and violence tore apart your country and you were forced to suddenly run for your life, what would you bring with you?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.17.6″ custom_margin=”25px|0px|0px|” custom_padding=”|0px|0px|” animation_style=”fade” animation_delay=”650ms”]<\/p>\n

Photographer Brian Sokol, working with UNHCR staff around the world, has posed this question to hundreds of people who have experienced this terror first-hand. The resulting photo project, \u201cThe Most Important Thing,\u201d provides surprising and thoughtful answers to this question.<\/p>\n

This instalment focuses on Angolan refugees who fled as long as 50 years ago to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Amazingly, many still possess the items they took when they fled, having saved them as reminders of lost loved ones or mementos of a past way of life. With Angola at peace since 2002, many refugees hope to bring these items full circle on the journey home.<\/p>\n

Past subjects of this project include Malian refugees in Burkina Faso; Syrians in Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan; Sudanese in South Sudan; and Central Africans in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ disabled_on=”on|on|” module_class=”ds-advent-25-section containedbkg” _builder_version=”3.17.6″ background_image=”https:\/\/www.unhcr.org\/spotlight\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2019\/04\/TMIT_Angola_01_Maria_RF1104199_60046.jpg” parallax=”on” parallax_method=”off” prev_background_color=”#ffffff” next_background_color=”#ffffff”][et_pb_row custom_margin=”|50px|75px|” background_color_2=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” padding_right_2=”75px” padding_left_2=”75px” _builder_version=”3.0.89″][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ disabled_on=”on|on|” module_class=”ds-advent-25-section containedbkg” _builder_version=”3.17.6″ background_image=”https:\/\/www.unhcr.org\/spotlight\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2019\/04\/TMIT_Angola_01_Maria_RF1104199_60046.jpg” parallax=”on” parallax_method=”off” prev_background_color=”#ffffff” next_background_color=”#ffffff”][et_pb_row custom_margin=”|50px|50px|” background_color_2=”rgba(0,0,0,0.69)” padding_top_2=”40px” padding_right_2=”75px” padding_bottom_2=”75px” padding_left_2=”30px” padding_2_phone=”40px|45px|75px|75px” padding_2_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”3.0.89″][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.89″ background_layout=”dark” custom_margin=”50px|||50px” custom_margin_phone=”0px|||0px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop”]<\/p>\n

Maria, 66<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\u201cWith it I am at peace.\u201d\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider color=”rgba(244,244,244,0.62)” _builder_version=”3.2″ custom_margin=”0px||0px|50px” custom_margin_phone=”|||0px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”0px|||0px” \/][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.89″ text_text_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0.75)” background_layout=”dark” custom_margin=”|||50px” custom_margin_phone=”|||0px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop”]<\/p>\n

Maria says this cross is the most important thing she brought with her when she fled Angola in 1962. \u201cWith it I am at peace. If I didn\u2019t have this cross, I wouldn\u2019t be here today. It saved my life and the lives of my children.\u201d She recalls how soldiers in Angola came and killed her husband in front of her. Tears fill her eyes as she describes the scene over 50 years later. She and her children, the youngest just nine days old, immediately fled into the forest, where they lived off the land and drank rainwater for seven months before crossing into the country now known as Democratic Republic of the Congo. If she had to flee again, she says, the cross is the first thing she would take.<\/p>\n

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Maria, 66<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\u201cWith it I am at peace.\u201d\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4>\n

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Maria says this cross is the most important thing she brought with her when she fled Angola in 1962. \u201cWith it I am at peace. If I didn\u2019t have this cross, I wouldn\u2019t be here today. It saved my life and the lives of my children.\u201d She recalls how soldiers in Angola came and killed her husband in front of her. Tears fill her eyes as she describes the scene over 50 years later. She and her children, the youngest just nine days old, immediately fled into the forest, where they lived off the land and drank rainwater for seven months before crossing into the country now known as Democratic Republic of the Congo. If she had to flee again, she says, the cross is the first thing she would take.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ disabled_on=”on|on|” module_class=”ds-advent-25-section containedbkg” _builder_version=”3.17.6″ background_image=”https:\/\/www.unhcr.org\/spotlight\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2019\/04\/TMIT_Angola_02_Antonio_RF1104186_60049.jpg” parallax=”on” parallax_method=”off” prev_background_color=”#ffffff” next_background_color=”#ffffff”][et_pb_row custom_margin=”|50px|75px|” background_color_2=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” padding_right_2=”75px” padding_left_2=”75px” _builder_version=”3.17.6″][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ disabled_on=”on|on|” module_class=”ds-advent-25-section containedbkg” _builder_version=”3.17.6″ background_image=”https:\/\/www.unhcr.org\/spotlight\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2019\/04\/TMIT_Angola_02_Antonio_RF1104186_60049.jpg” parallax=”on” parallax_method=”off” prev_background_color=”#ffffff” next_background_color=”#ffffff”][et_pb_row custom_margin=”|50px|50px|50px” background_color_1=”rgba(0,0,0,0.69)” padding_top_1=”40px” padding_top_2=”0px” padding_right_1=”75px” padding_right_2=”0px” padding_bottom_1=”75px” padding_bottom_2=”0px” padding_left_1=”30px” padding_left_2=”0px” _builder_version=”3.0.89″][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.89″ background_layout=”dark” custom_margin=”50px|||50px” custom_margin_phone=”0px|||0px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”|0px|0px|0px”]<\/p>\n

Antonio, 53<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\u201cI want them to learn from my story.\u201d<\/strong><\/h4>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider color=”rgba(244,244,244,0.62)” _builder_version=”3.2″ custom_margin=”0px||0px|50px” custom_margin_phone=”|||0px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”0px|||0px” \/][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.89″ text_text_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0.75)” background_layout=”dark” custom_margin=”|||50px” custom_margin_phone=”|||0px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”0px|0px|40px|0px”]<\/p>\n

Orphaned by age 12, Antonio was forcibly recruited as a child soldier into Angola\u2019s bloody civil war and says he led 150 child soldiers, some as young as six. \u201cI was a soldier, and \u2026 I did what I did in order to stay alive.\u201d After two battles, he deserted. For over a year he lived off the land, hunting buffalo and antelope with his gun. Eventually, he reached DRC, then called Za\u00efre. \u201cIt was only after leaving Angola for Za\u00efre that I became wise. When I crossed the border, it was like beginning a new life. Everything from before remained in Angola.\u201d Antonio says the most important thing he brought with him is his story. \u201cMy family died, and I suffered greatly. I don\u2019t want my children to suffer. I tell them to look at what my life was like, at what wrongs I committed and how now I can\u2019t go home … I want them to learn from my story.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Antonio, 53<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\u201cI want them to learn from my story.\u201d<\/strong><\/h4>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider color=”rgba(66,66,66,0.62)” _builder_version=”3.2″ custom_margin_last_edited=”off|phone” custom_padding=”|||50px” custom_padding_phone=”|||0px” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” \/][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.89″ text_text_color=”rgba(66,66,66,0.58)” background_layout=”dark” custom_margin=”|||50px” custom_margin_phone=”|||0px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”0px|0px|40px|0px”]<\/p>\n

Orphaned by age 12, Antonio was forcibly recruited as a child soldier into Angola\u2019s bloody civil war and says he led 150 child soldiers, some as young as six. \u201cI was a soldier, and \u2026 I did what I did in order to stay alive.\u201d After two battles, he deserted. For over a year he lived off the land, hunting buffalo and antelope with his gun. Eventually, he reached DRC, then called Za\u00efre. \u201cIt was only after leaving Angola for Za\u00efre that I became wise. When I crossed the border, it was like beginning a new life. Everything from before remained in Angola.\u201d Antonio says the most important thing he brought with him is his story. \u201cMy family died, and I suffered greatly. I don\u2019t want my children to suffer. I tell them to look at what my life was like, at what wrongs I committed and how now I can\u2019t go home … I want them to learn from my story.\u201d<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ disabled_on=”on|on|” module_class=”ds-advent-25-section containedbkg” _builder_version=”3.17.6″ background_image=”https:\/\/www.unhcr.org\/spotlight\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2019\/04\/TMIT_Angola_06_Edward_RF1104473_60055.jpg” parallax=”on” parallax_method=”off” prev_background_color=”#ffffff” next_background_color=”#ffffff”][et_pb_row custom_margin=”|50px||” padding_right_2=”75px” padding_left_2=”75px” _builder_version=”3.0.89″][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ disabled_on=”on|on|” module_class=”ds-advent-25-section containedbkg” _builder_version=”3.17.6″ background_image=”https:\/\/www.unhcr.org\/spotlight\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2019\/04\/TMIT_Angola_06_Edward_RF1104473_60055.jpg” parallax=”on” parallax_method=”off” prev_background_color=”#ffffff” next_background_color=”#ffffff”][et_pb_row custom_margin=”|50px|50px|” background_color_2=”rgba(0,0,0,0.69)” padding_top_2=”40px” padding_right_2=”75px” padding_bottom_2=”75px” padding_left_2=”30px” _builder_version=”3.0.89″][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.17.6″ background_layout=”dark” custom_margin=”50px|||50px” custom_margin_phone=”0px|||0px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop”]<\/p>\n

Edward, 37<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\u201cI can tell my children our family\u2019s story through this pidi jar.\u201d<\/strong><\/h4>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider color=”#f4f4f4″ _builder_version=”3.2″ custom_margin=”|||50px” custom_margin_phone=”|||0px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” \/][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.89″ text_text_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0.75)” background_layout=”dark” custom_margin=”|||50px” custom_margin_phone=”|||0px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop”]<\/p>\n

Fighting reached Edward\u2019s town in Angola in 1993, when he was 16. His family fled when a rocket exploded two kilometres from their home. They took this pidi jar, filled with buffalo meat, to sustain them on their journey. Edward recalls seeing many dead bodies as they fled and hearing news of neighbours who had been killed. When he crossed the border into Za\u00efre, now called DRC, he felt relieved to be alive, sad to have lost so many loved ones and apprehensive about what this new life would hold for him. \u201cI can tell my children our family\u2019s story through this pidi jar. It\u2019s the only thing we have left of that journey. Hopefully we will take it when we make the return trip to Angola in the future.\u201d In exile, Edward managed to earn a degree in electrical engineering. \u201cI\u2019m lucky. Not all refugees received an education.\u201d<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ disabled_on=”off|off|on” module_class=”ds-advent-25-section containedbkg” _builder_version=”3.0.89″ parallax=”on” parallax_method=”off” custom_margin_last_edited=”off|phone” prev_background_color=”#000000″ next_background_color=”#000000″][et_pb_row make_fullwidth=”on” use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ custom_padding=”30px|0px|0px|0px” make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”3.0.89″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.unhcr.org\/spotlight\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2019\/04\/TMIT_Angola_06_Edward_RF1104473_60055.jpg” show_bottom_space=”off” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”3.17.6″ \/][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row custom_padding=”0px|0px|30px|0px” custom_margin=”20px|0px|0px|35px” background_color_2=”rgba(0,0,0,0.69)” padding_top_2=”40px” padding_right_2=”75px” padding_bottom_2=”75px” padding_left_2=”75px” padding_1_last_edited=”off|phone” _builder_version=”3.0.89″ module_alignment=”center” custom_margin_tablet=”20px|0px|20px|50px” custom_margin_phone=”20px|0px|0px|50px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.89″ custom_margin=”50px|||50px” custom_margin_phone=”0px|||0px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”40px|||”]<\/p>\n

Elizabeth, 72<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\u201cIt was a gift from my pastor on the day of my baptism.\u201d<\/strong><\/h4>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider color=”rgba(66,66,66,0.62)” _builder_version=”3.2″ custom_margin_last_edited=”off|phone” custom_padding=”|||50px” custom_padding_phone=”|||0px” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” \/][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.89″ text_text_color=”rgba(66,66,66,0.58)” background_layout=”dark” custom_margin=”|||50px” custom_margin_phone=”|||0px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop”]<\/p>\n

Fighting reached Edward\u2019s town in Angola in 1993, when he was 16. His family fled when a rocket exploded two kilometres from their home. They took this pidi jar, filled with buffalo meat, to sustain them on their journey. Edward recalls seeing many dead bodies as they fled and hearing news of neighbours who had been killed. When he crossed the border into Za\u00efre, now called DRC, he felt relieved to be alive, sad to have lost so many loved ones and apprehensive about what this new life would hold for him. \u201cI can tell my children our family\u2019s story through this pidi jar. It\u2019s the only thing we have left of that journey. Hopefully we will take it when we make the return trip to Angola in the future.\u201d In exile, Edward managed to earn a degree in electrical engineering. \u201cI\u2019m lucky. Not all refugees received an education.\u201d<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ disabled_on=”on|on|” module_class=”ds-advent-25-section containedbkg” _builder_version=”3.17.6″ background_image=”https:\/\/www.unhcr.org\/spotlight\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2019\/04\/TMIT_Angola_04_Francisco_RF1104468_60052.jpg” parallax=”on” parallax_method=”off” prev_background_color=”#ffffff” next_background_color=”#ffffff”][et_pb_row custom_margin=”|50px|75px|50px” background_color_1=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” padding_top_2=”40px” padding_right_2=”75px” padding_bottom_2=”0px” padding_left_2=”75px” _builder_version=”3.0.89″][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ disabled_on=”on|on|” module_class=”ds-advent-25-section containedbkg” _builder_version=”3.17.6″ background_image=”https:\/\/www.unhcr.org\/spotlight\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2019\/04\/TMIT_Angola_04_Francisco_RF1104468_60052.jpg” parallax=”on” parallax_method=”off” prev_background_color=”#ffffff” next_background_color=”#ffffff”][et_pb_row custom_margin=”|50px|50px|50px” background_color_1=”rgba(0,0,0,0.69)” padding_top_1=”40px” padding_top_2=”0px” padding_right_1=”75px” padding_right_2=”0px” padding_bottom_1=”75px” padding_bottom_2=”0px” padding_left_1=”30px” padding_left_2=”0px” _builder_version=”3.0.89″][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.89″ background_layout=”dark” custom_margin=”50px|||50px” custom_margin_phone=”0px|||0px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px”]<\/p>\n

Francisco<\/strong>, 54<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\u201cWith these, I will never starve.\u201d<\/strong><\/h4>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider color=”rgba(244,244,244,0.62)” _builder_version=”3.2″ custom_margin=”0px||0px|50px” custom_margin_phone=”|||0px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”0px|||0px” \/][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.89″ text_text_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0.75)” background_layout=”dark” custom_margin=”|||50px” custom_margin_phone=”|||0px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”0px|0px|40px|0px”]<\/p>\n

Born and raised in exile, Francisco doesn\u2019t hesitate when asked whether he feels even a little Congolese. \u201cMy answer is clear like water. I can claim only one nationality: I\u2019m Angolan.\u201d A shoemaker who learned the craft from his maternal uncle, Francisco returned to his native Angola in 1977. But when war broke out again in 1992, he was forced to flee back to Za\u00efre, now called DRC. \u201cI lost everything. My shop, my education documents. Everything.\u201d Francisco says the most important items he brought with him were his small pliers and cobbler\u2019s hammer. \u201cWith these, I will never starve,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ disabled_on=”off|off|on” module_class=”ds-advent-25-section containedbkg” _builder_version=”3.0.89″ parallax=”on” parallax_method=”off” prev_background_color=”#000000″ next_background_color=”#000000″][et_pb_row make_fullwidth=”on” use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”3.0.89″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.unhcr.org\/spotlight\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2019\/04\/TMIT_Angola_04_Francisco_RF1104468_60052.jpg” show_bottom_space=”off” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”3.17.6″ \/][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row custom_padding=”0px||30px|” custom_margin=”20px|0px|0px|35px” padding_top_2=”0px” padding_right_2=”0px” padding_bottom_2=”0px” padding_left_2=”0px” padding_1_phone=”0px|0px|0px|0px” padding_1_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”3.0.89″ module_alignment=”center” custom_margin_tablet=”20px|0px|20px|50px” custom_margin_phone=”20px|0px|0px|50px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.89″ custom_margin=”50px|||50px” custom_margin_phone=”0px|||0px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”40px|0px|0px|0px”]<\/p>\n

Francisco, 54<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\u201cWith these, I will never starve.\u201d\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider color=”rgba(66,66,66,0.62)” _builder_version=”3.2″ custom_margin_last_edited=”off|phone” custom_padding=”|||50px” custom_padding_phone=”|||0px” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” \/][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.89″ text_text_color=”rgba(66,66,66,0.58)” background_layout=”dark” custom_margin=”|||50px” custom_margin_phone=”|||0px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”0px|0px|40px|0px”]<\/p>\n

Born and raised in exile, Francisco doesn\u2019t hesitate when asked whether he feels even a little Congolese. \u201cMy answer is clear like water. I can claim only one nationality: I\u2019m Angolan.\u201d A shoemaker who learned the craft from his maternal uncle, Francisco returned to his native Angola in 1977. But when war broke out again in 1992, he was forced to flee back to Za\u00efre, now called DRC. \u201cI lost everything. My shop, my education documents. Everything.\u201d Francisco says the most important items he brought with him were his small pliers and cobbler\u2019s hammer. \u201cWith these, I will never starve,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ disabled_on=”on|on|” module_class=”ds-advent-25-section containedbkg” _builder_version=”3.17.6″ background_image=”https:\/\/www.unhcr.org\/spotlight\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2019\/04\/TMIT_Angola_05_Lumona_RF1104429_60051.jpg” parallax=”on” parallax_method=”off” prev_background_color=”#ffffff” next_background_color=”#ffffff”][et_pb_row custom_margin=”|50px|75px|” background_color_2=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” padding_right_2=”75px” padding_left_2=”75px” _builder_version=”3.0.89″][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ disabled_on=”on|on|” module_class=”ds-advent-25-section containedbkg” _builder_version=”3.17.6″ background_image=”https:\/\/www.unhcr.org\/spotlight\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2019\/04\/TMIT_Angola_05_Lumona_RF1104429_60051.jpg” parallax=”on” parallax_method=”off” prev_background_color=”#ffffff” next_background_color=”#ffffff”][et_pb_row custom_margin=”|50px|50px|” background_color_2=”rgba(0,0,0,0.69)” padding_top_2=”40px” padding_right_2=”75px” padding_bottom_2=”75px” padding_left_2=”30px” _builder_version=”3.0.89″][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.89″ background_layout=”dark” custom_margin=”50px|||50px” custom_margin_phone=”0px|||0px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop”]<\/p>\n

Lumona, 26<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

\u201cI love it because it\u2019s art.\u201d<\/strong><\/h4>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider color=”#f4f4f4″ _builder_version=”3.2″ custom_margin=”|||50px” custom_margin_phone=”|||0px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” \/][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.89″ text_text_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0.75)” background_layout=”dark” custom_margin=”|||50px” custom_margin_phone=”|||0px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop”]<\/p>\n

Lumona says that if she were to flee again and could only take one thing with her, it would be her portrait painted by a friend 10 years ago. \u201cI love it because it\u2019s art. It isn\u2019t a photograph. Someone took the time to draw me. It\u2019s beautiful and makes me happy, and I\u2019m sure seeing it makes others happy as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ disabled_on=”off|off|on” module_class=”ds-advent-25-section containedbkg” _builder_version=”3.0.89″ parallax=”on” parallax_method=”off” prev_background_color=”#000000″ next_background_color=”#000000″][et_pb_row make_fullwidth=”on” use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”3.0.89″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.unhcr.org\/spotlight\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2019\/04\/TMIT_Angola_05_Lumona_RF1104429_60051.jpg” show_bottom_space=”off” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”3.17.6″ \/][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row custom_padding=”0px|0px|30px|0px” background_color_2=”rgba(0,0,0,0.69)” padding_top_2=”40px” padding_right_2=”75px” padding_bottom_2=”75px” padding_left_2=”75px” padding_1_last_edited=”on|tablet” _builder_version=”3.0.89″ module_alignment=”center” custom_margin_tablet=”20px||0px|” custom_margin_phone=”20px|0px|0px|35px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.89″ custom_margin=”50px|||50px” custom_margin_phone=”0px|||0px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_padding=”40px|||”]<\/p>\n

Lumona, 26<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\u201cI love it because it\u2019s art.\u201d<\/strong><\/h4>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider color=”rgba(66,66,66,0.62)” _builder_version=”3.2″ custom_margin_last_edited=”off|phone” custom_padding=”|||50px” custom_padding_phone=”|||0px” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” \/][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.89″ text_text_color=”rgba(66,66,66,0.58)” background_layout=”dark” custom_margin=”|||50px” custom_margin_phone=”|||0px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop”]<\/p>\n

Lumona says that if she were to flee again and could only take one thing with her, it would be her portrait painted by a friend 10 years ago. \u201cI love it because it\u2019s art. It isn\u2019t a photograph. Someone took the time to draw me. It\u2019s beautiful and makes me happy, and I\u2019m sure seeing it makes others happy as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ disabled_on=”on|on|” module_class=”ds-advent-25-section containedbkg” _builder_version=”3.17.6″ background_image=”https:\/\/www.unhcr.org\/spotlight\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2019\/04\/TMIT_Angola_03_Elizabeth_RF1104471_60054.jpg” parallax=”on” parallax_method=”off” prev_background_color=”#ffffff” next_background_color=”#ffffff”][et_pb_row custom_margin=”|50px||50px” padding_top_2=”40px” padding_right_2=”75px” padding_bottom_2=”40px” padding_left_2=”75px” _builder_version=”3.0.89″][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ disabled_on=”on|on|” module_class=”ds-advent-25-section containedbkg” _builder_version=”3.17.6″ background_image=”https:\/\/www.unhcr.org\/spotlight\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2019\/04\/TMIT_Angola_03_Elizabeth_RF1104471_60054.jpg” parallax=”on” parallax_method=”off” prev_background_color=”#ffffff” next_background_color=”#ffffff”][et_pb_row custom_margin=”||50px|50px” background_color_1=”rgba(0,0,0,0.69)” padding_top_1=”40px” padding_top_2=”0px” padding_right_1=”75px” padding_right_2=”0px” padding_bottom_1=”75px” padding_bottom_2=”0px” padding_left_1=”30px” padding_left_2=”0px” _builder_version=”3.0.89″][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.89″ background_layout=”dark” custom_margin=”50px|||50px” custom_margin_phone=”0px|||0px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”|0px|0px|0px”]<\/p>\n

Elizabeth, 72<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\u201cIt was a gift from my pastor on the day of my baptism.\u201d<\/strong><\/h4>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider color=”rgba(244,244,244,0.62)” _builder_version=”3.2″ custom_margin=”0px||0px|50px” custom_margin_phone=”|||0px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”0px|||0px” \/][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.17.6″ text_text_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0.75)” background_layout=”dark” custom_margin=”|||50px” custom_margin_phone=”|||0px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”0px|0px|40px|0px”]<\/p>\n

Elizabeth says her Bible is the most important thing she brought with her when she fled war in Angola. It\u2019s the only thing she has from that journey 52 years ago. \u201cIt was a gift from my pastor on the day of my baptism,\u201d she says. Although she found safety in the country now called DRC, living in exile has been difficult. The mother of seven children, she has been separated for years from various family members and struggles with the feeling that she doesn\u2019t have a real home. \u201cIn this world, bad things happen, but in the Bible you can find words which help you.\u201d<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ disabled_on=”off|off|on” module_class=”ds-advent-25-section containedbkg” _builder_version=”3.0.89″ parallax=”on” parallax_method=”off” prev_background_color=”#000000″ next_background_color=”#000000″][et_pb_row make_fullwidth=”on” use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”3.0.89″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.unhcr.org\/spotlight\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2019\/04\/TMIT_Angola_03_Elizabeth_RF1104471_60054.jpg” show_bottom_space=”off” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”3.17.6″ \/][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row custom_padding=”0px|0px|30px|0px” custom_margin=”20px|0px|0px|35px” custom_padding_last_edited=”off|” padding_top_2=”0px” padding_right_2=”0px” padding_bottom_2=”0px” padding_left_2=”0px” padding_1_last_edited=”off|phone” _builder_version=”3.0.89″ module_alignment=”center” custom_margin_tablet=”20px|0px|20px|50px” custom_margin_phone=”20px|0px|0px|50px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.89″ custom_margin=”50px|||50px” custom_margin_phone=”0px|||0px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”40px|0px|0px|0px”]<\/p>\n

Elizabeth, 72<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\u201cIt was a gift from my pastor on the day of my baptism.\u201d<\/strong><\/h4>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider color=”rgba(66,66,66,0.62)” _builder_version=”3.2″ custom_margin_last_edited=”off|phone” \/][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.89″ text_text_color=”rgba(66,66,66,0.58)” background_layout=”dark” custom_margin=”|||50px” custom_margin_phone=”|||0px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”0px|0px|40px|0px”]<\/p>\n

Elizabeth says her Bible is the most important thing she brought with her when she fled war in Angola. It\u2019s the only thing she has from that journey 52 years ago. \u201cIt was a gift from my pastor on the day of my baptism,\u201d she says. Although she found safety in the country now called DRC, living in exile has been difficult. The mother of seven children, she has been separated for years from various family members and struggles with the feeling that she doesn\u2019t have a real home. \u201cIn this world, bad things happen, but in the Bible you can find words which help you.\u201d<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ disabled_on=”on|on|” module_class=”ds-advent-25-section containedbkg” _builder_version=”3.17.6″ background_image=”https:\/\/www.unhcr.org\/spotlight\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2019\/04\/TMIT_Angola_07_Isabelle_RF1104469_60053.jpg” parallax=”on” parallax_method=”off” prev_background_color=”#ffffff” next_background_color=”#ffffff”][et_pb_row custom_margin=”|50px||50px” padding_top_2=”40px” padding_right_2=”75px” padding_bottom_2=”40px” padding_left_2=”75px” _builder_version=”3.0.89″][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ disabled_on=”on|on|” module_class=”ds-advent-25-section containedbkg” _builder_version=”3.17.6″ background_image=”https:\/\/www.unhcr.org\/spotlight\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2019\/04\/TMIT_Angola_07_Isabelle_RF1104469_60053.jpg” parallax=”on” parallax_method=”off” prev_background_color=”#ffffff” next_background_color=”#ffffff”][et_pb_row custom_margin=”|50px|50px|” background_color_2=”rgba(0,0,0,0.69)” padding_top_2=”40px” padding_right_2=”75px” padding_bottom_2=”75px” padding_left_2=”30px” _builder_version=”3.0.89″][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.89″ background_layout=”dark” custom_margin=”50px|||50px” custom_margin_phone=”0px|||0px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop”]<\/p>\n

Isabelle, 53<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

\u201cIt would remind me of my small room in Kinshasa.\u201d<\/strong><\/h4>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider color=”#f4f4f4″ _builder_version=”3.2″ custom_margin=”|||50px” custom_margin_phone=”|||0px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” \/][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.89″ text_text_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0.75)” background_layout=”dark” custom_margin=”|||50px” custom_margin_phone=”|||0px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop”]<\/p>\n

When asked what she would bring with her if she were forced to flee again, Isabelle thinks for a moment and gestures to a soft toy zebra keychain hanging from the wall. \u201cI would bring this because it would remind me of my small room in Kinshasa,\u201d she says. Born in Angola, Isabelle has been displaced by war twice to the country now known as DRC \u2014 first as a little girl, and again after civil war broke out in 1992. Now the mother of six children, she makes a living in DRC\u2019s capital, Kinshasa, running a small roadside shop that sells tea, cassava, bread and dried fish. \u201cI have a small business. I know how to make money anywhere I go.\u201d<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ disabled_on=”off|off|on” module_class=”ds-advent-25-section containedbkg” _builder_version=”3.0.89″ parallax=”on” parallax_method=”off” prev_background_color=”#000000″ next_background_color=”#000000″][et_pb_row make_fullwidth=”on” use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ custom_padding=”30px|0px|0px|0px” make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”3.0.89″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.unhcr.org\/spotlight\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2019\/04\/TMIT_Angola_07_Isabelle_RF1104469_60053.jpg” show_bottom_space=”off” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”3.17.6″ \/][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row custom_padding=”0px|0px|30px|0px” custom_margin=”20px|0px|0px|35px” background_color_2=”rgba(0,0,0,0.69)” padding_top_2=”40px” padding_right_2=”75px” padding_bottom_2=”75px” padding_left_2=”75px” padding_1_last_edited=”off|phone” _builder_version=”3.0.89″ module_alignment=”center” custom_margin_tablet=”20px|0px|20px|50px” custom_margin_phone=”20px|0px|0px|50px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.89″ custom_margin=”50px|||50px” custom_margin_phone=”0px|||0px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”40px|||”]<\/p>\n

Isabelle, 53<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\u201cIt would remind me of my small room in Kinshasa.\u201d<\/strong><\/h4>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider color=”rgba(66,66,66,0.62)” _builder_version=”3.2″ custom_margin_last_edited=”off|phone” \/][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.89″ text_text_color=”rgba(66,66,66,0.58)” background_layout=”dark” custom_margin=”|||50px” custom_margin_phone=”|||0px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop”]<\/p>\n

When asked what she would bring with her if she were forced to flee again, Isabelle thinks for a moment and gestures to a soft toy zebra keychain hanging from the wall. \u201cI would bring this because it would remind me of my small room in Kinshasa,\u201d she says. Born in Angola, Isabelle has been displaced by war twice to the country now known as DRC \u2014 first as a little girl, and again after civil war broke out in 1992. Now the mother of six children, she makes a living in DRC\u2019s capital, Kinshasa, running a small roadside shop that sells tea, cassava, bread and dried fish. \u201cI have a small business. I know how to make money anywhere I go.\u201d<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ disabled_on=”on|on|” module_class=”ds-advent-25-section containedbkg” _builder_version=”3.17.6″ background_image=”https:\/\/www.unhcr.org\/spotlight\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2019\/04\/TMIT_Angola_08_Sebastian_RF1104197_60050.jpg” parallax=”on” parallax_method=”off” prev_background_color=”#ffffff” next_background_color=”#ffffff”][et_pb_row custom_margin=”|50px||50px” padding_top_2=”40px” padding_right_2=”75px” padding_bottom_2=”40px” padding_left_2=”75px” _builder_version=”3.0.89″][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ disabled_on=”on|on|” module_class=”ds-advent-25-section containedbkg” _builder_version=”3.17.6″ background_image=”https:\/\/www.unhcr.org\/spotlight\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2019\/04\/TMIT_Angola_08_Sebastian_RF1104197_60050.jpg” parallax=”on” parallax_method=”off” prev_background_color=”#ffffff” next_background_color=”#ffffff”][et_pb_row custom_margin=”|50px|50px|50px” background_color_1=”rgba(0,0,0,0.69)” padding_top_1=”40px” padding_top_2=”0px” padding_right_1=”75px” padding_right_2=”0px” padding_bottom_1=”75px” padding_bottom_2=”0px” padding_left_1=”30px” padding_left_2=”0px” _builder_version=”3.0.89″][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.89″ background_layout=”dark” custom_margin=”50px|||50px” custom_margin_phone=”0px|||0px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”|0px|0px|0px”]<\/p>\n

Sebastian, 65<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

\u201cMy father gave me his jacket to keep me warm.\u201d<\/strong><\/h4>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider color=”rgba(244,244,244,0.62)” _builder_version=”3.2″ custom_margin=”||0px|50px” custom_margin_phone=”|||0px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” \/][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.89″ text_text_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0.75)” background_layout=”dark” custom_margin=”|||50px” custom_margin_phone=”|||0px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”0px|0px|40px|0px”]<\/p>\n

Sebastian was seven years old the night that his family, having fled Angola\u2019s war of independence, arrived in the country now known as DRC. Some 60 years later, he recalls, \u201cIt was cold, and my father gave me his jacket to keep me warm. I was wearing it as we crossed the border. When I see that suit, even now as we\u2019re talking about it, I think about Angola. The day I can cross back into Angola, I will have it on me, and I will remember my father. I will wear it because I am now a father myself.\u201d<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ disabled_on=”off|off|on” module_class=”ds-advent-25-section containedbkg” _builder_version=”3.0.89″ parallax=”on” parallax_method=”off” prev_background_color=”#000000″ next_background_color=”#000000″][et_pb_row make_fullwidth=”on” use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”3.0.89″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.unhcr.org\/spotlight\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2019\/04\/TMIT_Angola_08_Sebastian_RF1104197_60050.jpg” show_bottom_space=”off” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”3.17.6″ \/][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row custom_padding=”0px|0px|30px|0px” padding_top_2=”0px” padding_right_2=”0px” padding_bottom_2=”0px” padding_left_2=”0px” padding_1_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”3.0.89″ border_radii=”on|2px|2px|2px|2px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin_tablet=”20px||20px|50px” custom_margin_phone=”20px|0px|0px|50px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.89″ custom_margin=”50px|||50px” custom_margin_phone=”0px|||0px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”40px|0px|0px|0px”]<\/p>\n

Sebastian, 65<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\u201cMy father gave me his jacket to keep me warm.\u201d<\/strong><\/h4>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider color=”rgba(66,66,66,0.62)” _builder_version=”3.2″ custom_margin_last_edited=”off|phone” \/][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.89″ text_text_color=”rgba(66,66,66,0.58)” background_layout=”dark” custom_margin=”|||50px” custom_margin_phone=”|||0px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”0px|0px|40px|0px”]<\/p>\n

Sebastian was seven years old the night that his family, having fled Angola\u2019s war of independence, arrived in the country now known as DRC. Some 60 years later, he recalls, \u201cIt was cold, and my father gave me his jacket to keep me warm. I was wearing it as we crossed the border. When I see that suit, even now as we\u2019re talking about it, I think about Angola. The day I can cross back into Angola, I will have it on me, and I will remember my father. I will wear it because I am now a father myself.\u201d<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ disabled_on=”on|on|” module_class=”ds-advent-25-section containedbkg” _builder_version=”3.17.6″ background_image=”https:\/\/www.unhcr.org\/spotlight\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2019\/04\/TMIT_Angola_09_Sebastio_RF1104482_60057.jpg” parallax=”on” parallax_method=”off” prev_background_color=”#ffffff” next_background_color=”#ffffff”][et_pb_row custom_margin=”|50px||50px” padding_top_2=”40px” padding_right_2=”75px” padding_bottom_2=”40px” padding_left_2=”75px” _builder_version=”3.0.89″][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ disabled_on=”on|on|” module_class=”ds-advent-25-section containedbkg” _builder_version=”3.17.6″ background_image=”https:\/\/www.unhcr.org\/spotlight\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2019\/04\/TMIT_Angola_09_Sebastio_RF1104482_60057.jpg” parallax=”on” parallax_method=”off” prev_background_color=”#ffffff” next_background_color=”#ffffff”][et_pb_row custom_margin=”|50px|50px|” background_color_2=”rgba(0,0,0,0.69)” padding_top_2=”40px” padding_right_2=”75px” padding_bottom_2=”75px” padding_left_2=”30px” _builder_version=”3.0.89″][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.89″ background_layout=”dark” custom_margin=”50px|||50px” custom_margin_phone=”0px|||0px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop”]<\/p>\n

Sebastio, 55<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

\u201cThis document proves that my children are Angolan.\u201d<\/strong><\/h4>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider color=”rgba(244,244,244,0.62)” _builder_version=”3.2″ custom_margin=”0px||0px|50px” custom_margin_phone=”|||0px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”0px|||0px” \/][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.89″ text_text_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0.75)” background_layout=”dark” custom_margin=”|||50px” custom_margin_phone=”|||0px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop”]<\/p>\n

A former soldier in Angola, Sebastio fled upon learning that his life was in danger. Although he\u2019s afraid to return, he still considers it home. If he were again forced to flee for his life, he says, the most important thing to his family is the document he holds in this portrait, a Billet de Composition Familiale. \u201cThis is proof that I am a refugee,\u201d he says. \u201cWithout it, I could be arrested, my children could be expelled, or their mother would take them and they would become Congolese. This document proves that my children are Angolan.\u201d<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ disabled_on=”off|off|on” module_class=”ds-advent-25-section containedbkg” _builder_version=”3.0.89″ parallax=”on” parallax_method=”off” prev_background_color=”#000000″ next_background_color=”#000000″][et_pb_row make_fullwidth=”on” use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”3.0.89″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.unhcr.org\/spotlight\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2019\/04\/TMIT_Angola_09_Sebastio_RF1104482_60057.jpg” show_bottom_space=”off” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”3.17.6″ \/][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row custom_padding=”0px|0px|30px|0px” custom_margin=”35px|0px|0px|35px” background_color_2=”rgba(0,0,0,0.69)” padding_top_2=”40px” padding_right_2=”75px” padding_bottom_2=”75px” padding_left_2=”75px” _builder_version=”3.0.89″ module_alignment=”center” custom_margin_tablet=”20px|0px|0px|35px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.89″ custom_margin=”50px|||50px” custom_margin_phone=”0px|||0px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”40px|||” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone”]<\/p>\n

Sebastio, 55<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\u201cThis document proves that my children are Angolan.\u201d<\/strong><\/h4>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider color=”rgba(66,66,66,0.62)” _builder_version=”3.2″ custom_margin_last_edited=”off|phone” \/][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.89″ text_text_color=”rgba(66,66,66,0.58)” background_layout=”dark” custom_margin=”|||50px” custom_margin_phone=”|||0px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop”]<\/p>\n

A former soldier in Angola, Sebastio fled upon learning that his life was in danger. Although he\u2019s afraid to return, he still considers it home. If he were again forced to flee for his life, he says, the most important thing to his family is the document he holds in this portrait, a Billet de Composition Familiale. \u201cThis is proof that I am a refugee,\u201d he says. \u201cWithout it, I could be arrested, my children could be expelled, or their mother would take them and they would become Congolese. This document proves that my children are Angolan.\u201d<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ disabled_on=”on|on|” module_class=”ds-advent-25-section containedbkg” _builder_version=”3.17.6″ background_image=”https:\/\/www.unhcr.org\/spotlight\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2019\/04\/TMIT_Angola_10_Edward_RF1104203_60048.jpg” parallax=”on” parallax_method=”off” prev_background_color=”#ffffff” next_background_color=”#ffffff”][et_pb_row custom_margin=”|50px||50px” padding_top_2=”40px” padding_right_2=”75px” padding_bottom_2=”40px” padding_left_2=”75px” _builder_version=”3.0.89″][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ disabled_on=”on|on|” module_class=”ds-advent-25-section containedbkg” _builder_version=”3.17.6″ background_image=”https:\/\/www.unhcr.org\/spotlight\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2019\/04\/TMIT_Angola_10_Edward_RF1104203_60048.jpg” parallax=”on” parallax_method=”off” prev_background_color=”#ffffff” next_background_color=”#ffffff”][et_pb_row custom_margin=”|50px|50px|50px” background_color_1=”rgba(0,0,0,0.69)” padding_top_1=”40px” padding_top_2=”0px” padding_right_1=”75px” padding_right_2=”0px” padding_bottom_1=”75px” padding_bottom_2=”0px” padding_left_1=”30px” padding_left_2=”0px” _builder_version=”3.0.89″][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.89″ background_layout=”dark” custom_margin=”50px|||50px” custom_margin_phone=”0px|||0px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”0px|40px|0px|0px”]<\/p>\n

Edward, 73<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

\u201cDo I look like a man who doesn\u2019t work?\u201d<\/strong><\/h4>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider color=”rgba(244,244,244,0.62)” _builder_version=”3.2″ custom_margin=”||0px|50px” custom_margin_phone=”|||0px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” \/][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.89″ text_text_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0.75)” background_layout=”dark” custom_margin=”|||50px” custom_margin_phone=”|||0px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”0px|0px|40px|0px”]<\/p>\n

Edward\u2019s family fled Angola sometime between 1958 and 1961, but many details of the journey remain vividly clear. \u201cWe were five and I had cassava and ground nut. My mother was carrying clothes and a bag of cassava. I kicked a tree when we were walking through the forest, and the toe dried up and fell off on the way.\u201d After more than 50 years, he\u2019s preparing to return home. Asked about the most important thing he would take with him, he holds up his two strong hands and says, \u201cDo I look like a man who doesn\u2019t work? I need these, just these. One for a machete, the other to hold a hoe.\u201d He will miss the Congolese hospitality but feels excited to go home. \u201cI\u2019m happy because I am going to work the same land that my father worked.\u201d He plans to grow beans, ground nuts and cassava.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ disabled_on=”off|off|on” module_class=”ds-advent-25-section containedbkg” _builder_version=”3.0.89″ parallax=”on” parallax_method=”off” prev_background_color=”#000000″ next_background_color=”#000000″][et_pb_row make_fullwidth=”on” use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”3.0.89″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.unhcr.org\/spotlight\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2019\/04\/TMIT_Angola_10_Edward_RF1104203_60048.jpg” show_bottom_space=”off” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”3.17.6″ \/][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row custom_padding=”0px|0px|30px|0px” padding_top_2=”0px” padding_right_2=”0px” padding_bottom_2=”0px” padding_left_2=”0px” padding_1_last_edited=”off|phone” _builder_version=”3.0.89″ module_alignment=”center” custom_margin_tablet=”20px|||” custom_margin_phone=”20px|0px|0px|35px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.89″ custom_margin=”50px|||50px” custom_margin_phone=”0px|||0px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_padding=”40px|40px|0px|0px”]<\/p>\n

Edward, 73<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\u201cDo I look like a man who doesn\u2019t work?\u201d<\/strong><\/h4>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider color=”rgba(66,66,66,0.62)” _builder_version=”3.2″ custom_margin_last_edited=”off|phone” \/][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.89″ text_text_color=”rgba(66,66,66,0.58)” background_layout=”dark” custom_margin=”|||50px” custom_margin_phone=”|||0px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”0px|0px|40px|0px”]<\/p>\n

Edward\u2019s family fled Angola sometime between 1958 and 1961, but many details of the journey remain vividly clear. \u201cWe were five and I had cassava and ground nut. My mother was carrying clothes and a bag of cassava. I kicked a tree when we were walking through the forest, and the toe dried up and fell off on the way.\u201d After more than 50 years, he\u2019s preparing to return home. Asked about the most important thing he would take with him, he holds up his two strong hands and says, \u201cDo I look like a man who doesn\u2019t work? I need these, just these. One for a machete, the other to hold a hoe.\u201d He will miss the Congolese hospitality but feels excited to go home. \u201cI\u2019m happy because I am going to work the same land that my father worked.\u201d He plans to grow beans, ground nuts and cassava.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ disabled_on=”on|on|” module_class=”ds-advent-25-section containedbkg” _builder_version=”3.17.6″ background_image=”https:\/\/www.unhcr.org\/spotlight\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2019\/04\/TMIT_Angola_11_Kabamba_RF1104201_60047.jpg” parallax=”on” parallax_method=”off” prev_background_color=”#ffffff” next_background_color=”#ffffff”][et_pb_row custom_margin=”|50px||50px” padding_top_2=”40px” padding_right_2=”75px” padding_bottom_2=”40px” padding_left_2=”75px” _builder_version=”3.0.89″][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ disabled_on=”on|on|” module_class=”ds-advent-25-section containedbkg” _builder_version=”3.17.6″ background_image=”https:\/\/www.unhcr.org\/spotlight\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2019\/04\/TMIT_Angola_11_Kabamba_RF1104201_60047.jpg” parallax=”on” parallax_method=”off” prev_background_color=”#ffffff” next_background_color=”#ffffff”][et_pb_row custom_margin=”|50px|50px|” background_color_2=”rgba(0,0,0,0.69)” padding_top_2=”40px” padding_right_2=”75px” padding_bottom_2=”75px” padding_left_2=”30px” _builder_version=”3.0.89″][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.89″ background_layout=”dark” custom_margin=”50px|||50px” custom_margin_phone=”0px|||0px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop”]<\/p>\n

Kabamba, 29<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

\u201cShe can\u2019t go [back] with me because we aren\u2019t married yet.\u201d<\/strong><\/h4>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider color=”#f4f4f4″ _builder_version=”3.2″ custom_margin=”|||50px” custom_margin_phone=”|||0px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” \/][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.89″ text_text_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0.75)” background_layout=”dark” custom_margin=”|||50px” custom_margin_phone=”|||0px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone”]<\/p>\n

One morning in 1992, Kabamba and his father were cooking an omelette outside their home in Angola while his mother and sisters worked in the fields. Some men carrying machetes arrived, dragged his father inside and murdered him. Then they forced Kabamba to sit in the pan of searing oil until he lost consciousness. When he came to, he was in his mother\u2019s arms as she fled with his eight siblings to Za\u00efre, now DRC. Today things are different in Angola, and many refugees have returned. \u201cPersonally, I don\u2019t want to go back. But I can\u2019t survive here alone, and all my family are returning.\u201d The most important thing Kabamba will take with him is a photo of his pregnant girlfriend, who must stay behind for now. \u201cShe can\u2019t go with me because we aren\u2019t married yet, and she can\u2019t be listed as a family member. In the culture here, you can\u2019t marry a pregnant girl. We have to wait until after the birth to begin the marriage process.\u201d<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ disabled_on=”|off|on” module_class=”ds-advent-25-section containedbkg” _builder_version=”3.0.89″ parallax=”on” parallax_method=”off” prev_background_color=”#000000″ next_background_color=”#f4f4f4″][et_pb_row make_fullwidth=”on” use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”3.0.89″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.unhcr.org\/spotlight\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2019\/04\/TMIT_Angola_11_Kabamba_RF1104201_60047.jpg” show_bottom_space=”off” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”3.17.6″ \/][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” custom_margin=”35px|0px|0px|35px” background_color_2=”rgba(0,0,0,0.69)” padding_top_2=”40px” padding_right_2=”75px” padding_bottom_2=”75px” padding_left_2=”75px” padding_1_last_edited=”off|phone” _builder_version=”3.0.89″ module_alignment=”center” custom_margin_tablet=”20px|0px|0px|35px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.17.6″ custom_margin=”50px|||50px” custom_margin_phone=”0px|||0px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”40px|||”]<\/p>\n

Kabamba, 29<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\u201cShe can\u2019t go [back] with me because we aren\u2019t married yet.\u201d<\/strong><\/h4>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider color=”rgba(66,66,66,0.62)” _builder_version=”3.2″ custom_margin_last_edited=”off|phone” \/][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.89″ text_text_color=”rgba(66,66,66,0.58)” background_layout=”dark” custom_margin=”|||50px” custom_margin_phone=”|||0px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone”]<\/p>\n

One morning in 1992, Kabamba and his father were cooking an omelette outside their home in Angola while his mother and sisters worked in the fields. Some men carrying machetes arrived, dragged his father inside and murdered him. Then they forced Kabamba to sit in the pan of searing oil until he lost consciousness. When he came to, he was in his mother\u2019s arms as she fled with his eight siblings to Za\u00efre, now DRC. Today things are different in Angola, and many refugees have returned. \u201cPersonally, I don\u2019t want to go back. But I can\u2019t survive here alone, and all my family are returning.\u201d The most important thing Kabamba will take with him is a photo of his pregnant girlfriend, who must stay behind for now. \u201cShe can\u2019t go with me because we aren\u2019t married yet, and she can\u2019t be listed as a family member. In the culture here, you can\u2019t marry a pregnant girl. We have to wait until after the birth to begin the marriage process.\u201d<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.0.89″ background_color=”#f4f4f4″ custom_padding=”50px|0px|0px|0px” prev_background_color=”#ffffff”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.89″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.89″]<\/p>\n

To support our work with people fleeing violence and persecution, please donate now<\/a>.<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/donate.unhcr.org\/int\/general\/?utm_source=mit&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=HQ_PI_EN_wetransfer19___Angola” url_new_window=”on” button_text=”DONATE NOW” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”3.17.6″ custom_button=”on” button_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_text_size__hover=”null” button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_size__hover=”null” button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_size__hover=”null” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_text_color__hover=”null” button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_color__hover=”null” button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_color__hover=”null” button_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_width__hover=”null” button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_width__hover=”null” button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_width__hover=”null” button_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_color__hover=”null” button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_color__hover=”null” button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_color__hover=”null” button_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_radius__hover=”null” button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_radius__hover=”null” button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_radius__hover=”null” button_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_letter_spacing__hover=”null” button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_letter_spacing__hover=”null” button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_letter_spacing__hover=”null” button_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_bg_color__hover=”null” button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_bg_color__hover=”null” button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_bg_color__hover=”null” \/][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.47″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.17.6″]<\/p>\n

See more photos from this project:<\/span><\/h4>\n

Sudan<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0|\u00a0 Syria<\/a> \u00a0|\u00a0 Angola<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0|\u00a0\u00a0Rohingya<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0|\u00a0\u00a0Global<\/a><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.17.6″ \/][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

What would you bring if violence or persecution forced you to flee your country?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":112,"featured_media":2990,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2958","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unhcr.org\/spotlight\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2958","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unhcr.org\/spotlight\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unhcr.org\/spotlight\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unhcr.org\/spotlight\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/112"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unhcr.org\/spotlight\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2958"}],"version-history":[{"count":56,"href":"https:\/\/www.unhcr.org\/spotlight\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2958\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3947,"href":"https:\/\/www.unhcr.org\/spotlight\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2958\/revisions\/3947"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unhcr.org\/spotlight\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2990"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unhcr.org\/spotlight\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2958"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unhcr.org\/spotlight\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2958"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unhcr.org\/spotlight\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2958"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}