These Girls Escaped Boko Haram. Now They're Sharing Their Stories

Ya Kaka, 19 (left), and Hauwa, 18 (right), meet with government officials in Washington, D.C. Both former Boko Haram captives are now advocates for captives and other survivors. In March, they traveled to the States to raise awareness about the threat of Boko Haram in Nigeria, particularly for young women and girls.

In between meetings with U.S. lawmakers and members of the United Nations, Ya Kaka and Hauwa spent time exploring New York City. They visited the Bronx Zoo, had their caricatures drawn in Times Square, and tried their first hamburgers and milkshakes at Shake Shack. Here, Ya Kaka takes a selfie in front of the Statue of Liberty. Of all the things they experienced, both girls say they’ll always remember what it was like to see the snow.

Hauwa and Ya Kaka ride the special Russell Subway train to the U.S. Capitol Building with Too Young to Wed's Nigeria Program Director Shehu Abubakar.

Hauwa tells her story to 17 members of the U.S. House of Representatives at an event hosted by Florida Congresswoman Frederica Wilson. The girls were grateful for their time with the lawmakers. “No one paid attention to our stories [back home],” Hauwa says.

Ya Kaka, who was kidnapped at 15 years old, photographs her meal at Panera Bread. While in captivity, she says she most missed "her parents, good food, and good care."

Hauwa and Ya Kaka try on dresses at Rent the Runway in Washington, D.C. For the teenagers, the clothes are symbolic of their journey from survivor to advocate. Most women and girls who escape Boko Haram have nothing but the dresses on their backs, and having fresh, clean clothes is critical in helping them integrate into society.

Ya Kaka and Hauwa share their stories with PBS NewsHour anchor Judy Woodruff. “Let the entire world devise various means of recovering all the kidnapped children, send them to school, and let them develop once more a hope in their lives,” Hauwa told Woodruff.

Ya Kaka laughs while getting a pedicure in New York City. When she thinks back to the days she spent being held captive by Boko Haram, she remembers feeling like she would never escape. She explains, “I never thought I would get to this place.”