Mali teenager: Every time I hear gunfire I rush to my brother

Hamidou, a teenage boy living in Mopti, Mali, blogs about his experiences in the conflict-hit country and how the fighting is affecting his family.

Today, I caught my brother crying again.

He usually does that when he thinks he is alone in a room. Mamadou is 6 years old and he does not like anyone to see him crying lest he be teased and called a girl. But he can’t help it. He often cries because of the fighting and what he has seen.

It is not easy living like this. I wanted to leave, like my neighbours. All my friends from school have fled with their families. The teachers have left as well. School was so empty last week and the head teacher closed the school for a week.

I envy those who have left. At least, they don’t have to put up with all this.

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