“One of our first issues was getting water,” he says. “We started looking for a water source and found it about 2km away.”
Next was the challenge of making a structure to live in. “When we arrived in this empty land, we stayed in the open space for two days. Then we went to the bush to cut stakes and used tarpaulins and fences to make the first shelter.” Since then, the family has extended the initial shelter, adding more tarps and materials to expand the covering.
In the dry season, the heat is too extreme to live under the tarpaulin. And when it’s cool, the tarps and ground both get cold, and sleeping becomes difficult. When it rains, the ground stays wet and attracts mosquitos. It’s a difficult way of life.
“We are sad to be in such a condition, not knowing how to get out of it, and we have been trusting God for change,” Pastor Soré says.
“Since it is in the bush, another issue is that, in the night, snakes come when they see our lights. Every night I had to be watchful, killing the snakes, while my family members were sleeping.”
Teresa has to cook for the entire group in an open area, unprotected from the wind, dust and heat. When it rains, it means they cannot make a fire to cook on.