Sato Ndila is 72 and lives in Magu District. She survived a vicious attack seven years ago.

“I was married but my husband died when I was young. We had five children. We were living in Nyakeboja Village but the house fell down because it wasn’t strong.

“I moved to Mwamsjowa Village and then to Ichila. I was attacked in my home in 2000. I was sleeping one night when I heard someone coming in but I didn’t think anybody would injure me.

"My hand was cut off"

“I tried to dress and get to the door to find out what was happening, but someone shone a torch into my eyes so I couldn’t see properly.

“When I tried to touch the wall, my hand was cut off. I was very much afraid and came back to my bed and sat down. The assailant attacked me with a panga blade and seriously injured my head.

“I started screaming and he cut my right hand while I was trying to save my head. My eye was also seriously injured.

“My daughter who was living next door came to my room but the man had gone. The community gathered round and took me to the hospital where I stayed for a long time.

“After I came out of hospital I went to live with my other daughter.

"They said I had bewitched my sick neighbour"

"I don’t know exactly who attacked me. One of my neighbours was sick. She was being treated by a traditional healer who told her family that I had bewitched her.

“My sons were selling sugar cane and they had a quarrel with the daughters. They said I wouldn’t grow anything this year because their parents were going to kill me.

“A suspect was arrested and held in police custody for a long time, but one of his relatives was a policeman so he was released and there was no case.

"Once I was isolated, now I am loved"

"I’m settled in a different village and living in a safe place but I can’t cover my basic needs, especially food and clothing, because I can’t work anymore.

“I’ve been supported through Help Age International and MAPERECE. They built my house and the community helped.

“MAPERECE provided the iron sheets, door and windows. The community made the bricks. I feel more secure and protected here because the house is safe.

”It’s painful when people are attacked or accused of being a witch like I was. Just because we’re old and live alone doesn’t mean that we are witches. People think we must be to be able to survive.

“It causes isolation in the community and harm and it’s a very bad thing. I’m not isolated anymore and I’m part of the community here.

“They love me and they come and visit me and sometimes they bring me food, firewood, kerosene and soap.”