A Mother’s Six Days of Silence and Survival
When the curfew was announced, I didn’t think about politics or protests… I thought about dinner. About my children’s next meal, water, and the little things that keep a home running.
But nothing prepares you for being forced to stay inside, not by choice, but by circumstance and without internet to even distract your thoughts.
As a journalist, I’m used to moving. My days are filled with people, deadlines, noise, and screens. But for six long days, all that went silent. No emails, no social media, no calls. Just the sound of my two toddlers in the house, their laughter, their fights, their endless questions. It’s strange how quiet can feel so loud.
My toddlers love Miss Rachel, but with the internet shutdown, that small comfort disappeared overnight. Suddenly, I had to be Miss Rachel… singing, dancing, explaining the alphabet, and pretending to be cheerful even when I wasn’t.
Food was another challenge. Bread, milk, and maize flour, the basics, vanished from shelves. Groceries we took for granted became rare. We ate what we had, not what we wanted. Every meal required thought, creativity, and compromise. You know that feeling when you do something because you have no other option? That was it.
Even a short walk to the Mangi shop a few houses away felt like a mission. The streets were empty, the air heavy with uncertainty. Now and then, we’d hear mirindimo ya something… maybe gunfire, maybe explosions. I’d freeze, hold my children close, and wait for the sound to fade.
Being indoors for that long changed the rhythm of everything. As a mother, I had no off switch, no pause, no quiet coffee break. My children needed me every minute. As a wife, I tried to stay calm, to keep home steady even when I didn’t feel steady myself. And as a journalist, I struggled with the silence, not being able to know what was happening out there, to report, to connect.
Messages from family and friends abroad couldn’t come through. The simple text “uko salama?” suddenly felt like the most important sentence in the world, but we couldn’t send or receive it.
By day four, I started counting how many scoops of rice were left and how many litres of water. Every drop mattered. Every plan became a backup plan. Six days indoors taught me that survival isn’t just about food or safety but about endurance. It’s about holding yourself together when you can’t step outside, when you can’t even scroll to escape your own thoughts.
When the restrictions finally lifted, I didn’t feel relief right away. I just sat quietly and took a deep breath, realising that I had spent six days surviving not just the curfew but the stillness itself.
Because staying indoors against your will, cut off from the world, changes something inside you. You don’t come out the same, but you come out stronger, more aware of the small things that keep life moving even when everything else stands still.
Reflections on Isolation and Resilience
The experience of isolation brought with it a unique set of challenges that tested both physical and emotional endurance. Here are some key aspects of this time:
- Daily Routine Disruption: The usual routines of work, communication, and entertainment were completely upended. For someone who thrives on movement and connection, the sudden shift to a static environment was jarring.
- Emotional Strain: The pressure of being a mother, wife, and journalist at once created a constant sense of responsibility. There was no time to process emotions or take a break, which added to the stress.
- Communication Breakdown: Without internet access, the ability to communicate with loved ones was severely limited. This created a sense of isolation and helplessness, especially during moments of fear or uncertainty.
- Resource Management: The scarcity of basic necessities forced a reevaluation of priorities. Every item became valuable, and every decision required careful consideration.
- Mental Resilience: The experience highlighted the importance of mental resilience. Learning to cope with uncertainty and maintaining a sense of normalcy in such conditions was a significant achievement.
Lessons Learned
The six days of confinement taught several important lessons:
- Adaptability: The ability to adapt to changing circumstances is crucial. Whether it was finding new ways to entertain children or managing limited resources, flexibility was key.
- Connection: Despite the lack of internet, the need for human connection remained strong. Simple gestures and shared experiences helped maintain a sense of community and support.
- Mindfulness: The stillness forced a level of mindfulness that is often missed in daily life. Paying attention to small details and appreciating the present moment became more meaningful.
- Resilience: The experience reinforced the idea that resilience is not just about enduring hardship but also about emerging stronger from it. Each challenge faced during the curfew contributed to personal growth.
Moving Forward
After the restrictions were lifted, the transition back to normalcy was not immediate. There was a period of adjustment, where the lessons learned during the isolation continued to influence daily life. The experience served as a reminder of the importance of community, resilience, and the small joys that make life worth living.