Coping with grief and uncertainties during the Marburg outbreak
Domitina’s journey from isolation
When Domitina, 23, was finally reunited with her children, it was an emotional homecoming. After spending 21 days in isolation at a designated hotel in Biharamulo District in Kagera Region, she returned to her village Katelela. with a certificate from the Ministry of Health — proof that she was not infectious. The certificate was a key piece of reassurance, not just for her, but for the community as well.
“It feels amazing to come home to my children,” Domitina shared tearfully, standing at the threshold of her home. “I was afraid my community would not accept me after what I had gone through. But this certificate — it is a relief, not just for me but for everyone.”
Domitina’s ordeal began when her husband suddenly fell ill and was admitted to the hospital with Marburg symptoms. Despite all efforts to save him, he passed away, followed shortly afterward by a nurse who had been treating him. As a precaution, Domitina was placed in isolation, leaving behind her two young children, aged two and four. It was during this time that she also discovered she was expecting her third child.
“I was alone. I couldn’t be with my children,” Domitina recalled. “But I had to be strong for them. Then, when I found out I was pregnant with my third child, it gave me some hope. A reason to hold on.”
In her isolation, Domitina was not only separated from her children but also from the comfort of her daily life in Katelela.
To help her return to the village, Japhet Musa, a social welfare officer and also a member of the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) team supported by UNICEF, worked with the community before her return. His engagement with the community members aimed to foster understanding and ensure Domitina was welcomed back without fear or discrimination.
“Reintegrating into the community was one of the most important things we focused on,” Japhet said. “We wanted to ensure that Domitina would be welcomed back with kindness, not fear. The stigma survivors face can be as isolating as the disease itself.”
Since the first confirmed case, more than 270 people, including 80 children, who have been in isolation and treatment centres, have been reached with mental health and psychosocial services, offering critical support to those facing similar challenges.
The government, in collaboration with UNICEF, also replaced essential items that were burned during the decontamination process to help Domitina rebuild her home. Japhet visited her with a package of vital household goods: two mattresses, a blanket, four pairs of bedsheets, a mat, a thermos, and a plastic bucket. While modest, these items symbolized the hope and care extended to Domitina as she began her recovery.
“I cannot tell you how much this means to me. When you lose everything, even the small things feel like a blessing,” Domitina said, holding up the new blanket.
Now, Domitina is determined to restart her business of selling daga (small fish) and fresh fish, but she lacks the capital, having used all her savings for her husband’s medical treatment.
Sending her four-year-old daughter to school is also a top priority for Domitina. “My daughter’s is what’s most important right now. I just need a uniform and school supplies, and she’ll be ready to go,” she said, looking at her daughter with a mixture of sadness and hope.
UNICEF remains on the ground in Kagera Region, working closely with the Government and other partners to respond to the Marburg outbreak. Beyond immediate health and WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) concerns, UNICEF continues to provide mental health and psychosocial support to affected families, ensuring that no mother, child, or vulnerable community member is left behind.
For Domitina, the road ahead is one of resilience. As she begins to rebuild her life and her business, she draws strength from the support of her community, her family, and her unwavering hope for a better future.
