Before the conflict, I was selling milk and I was also a hairdresser. I took care of my family and even managed to save money.  But one day, as the violence became more serious, we were forced to flee, to leave our house with my children, taking only my phone and the clothes I was wearing.

I was appointed president of the displaced women because I speak the national Bambara language, so I can easily speak to the authorities. It was a big responsibility.

I talked a lot with the other women, and we decided to develop activities to earn a living. We trained in making soaps and dyes, as well as traditional henna and hairdressing.

In Bamako, there are really a lot of weddings and we had the opportunity to put into practice what we had learned with our first clients. Unfortunately, with coronavirus, our activities have stopped. We hope this disease will pass quickly so that we can take control of our lives again.