A 26-year-old expectant mother, Daniella Bija, and her four-year-old son have been rescued from a life of despair after being found living in a makeshift shelter in the mountains of Zambia, where they had taken refuge following her husband’s abandonment.

Daniella, who hails from the Democratic Republic of Congo, had been left stranded in a foreign land after her Zambian husband deserted her while she was heavily pregnant.

With no family, home, or source of income, she and her young son were forced to survive in the wilderness, relying on wild fruits and the occasional help from kind-hearted villagers nearby.

Her shelter, a fragile structure built from large plastic bags, contained only a thin mattress and a few items of clothing. With open sides that offered little protection from rain or cold, the shelter was a stark symbol of her vulnerability and struggle.

“I had nowhere else to go after my husband left,” Daniella recounted tearfully. “My son and I have been living here for months, surviving on wild fruits and whatever little food we get from kind people. I am worried for my unborn child.”

Her plight came to public attention after a Zambian well-wisher, identified as Idach, shared her story online, appealing for urgent assistance. The emotional post quickly went viral, prompting widespread sympathy and offers of help from both local residents and social media users.

Moved by her situation, Zambian politician Mumbi Phiri personally visited Daniella and her son. Witnesses said Phiri broke down in tears upon seeing the young woman’s harsh living conditions. 

She immediately intervened, arranging temporary housing for the mother and child in a safer, government-provided residence.

“The government has offered us a house to live in, and we will be under their care now,” Daniella said gratefully, expressing relief after months of uncertainty.

Supporters, mobilized through social media, have since donated groceries, clothes, and baby items to help Daniella prepare for the birth of her child.

The story has sparked a wave of emotional reactions online, with many expressing anger at her husband’s abandonment and others commending the swift humanitarian response by concerned citizens and leaders.

For Daniella, what began as a tale of isolation and suffering has now turned into one of hope and compassion, as she finally finds safety and dignity in the kindness of strangers.