Her husband Stephen, was kidnapped in Mali on 25 November, 2011.
International media reported that he and two other men were being held hostage by Al-Qaeda militants in Mali; and the men were also seen in video footage broadcast by Al Jazeera on its website in 2012.
Catherine said her neighbours had united to show support to her and her husband’s family. “We attend the Rosebank Union Church and my family had confided in the congregation, asking them to pray for Stephen. Since then the response from everyone has been overwhelming.” said Catherine.
Reluctant to speak about her husband’s captivity, she said she would rather speak about the support she had received from her community, and to call on other people to pray for Stephen.
“Members of the church and community have placed yellow ribbons with bows on their gates and on trees outside their homes as a symbol of hope and prayer,” explained Catherine.
“In America the yellow ribbon is usually worn by families and friends of soldiers coming back from war.”
Catherine somberly recited the words to the song Tie a yellow ribbon around the old oak tree and said the idea of the yellow ribbon may have originated from the song.
Lyrics from the song include: “I’m comin’ home, I’ve done my time. Now I’ve got to know what is and isn’t mine. If you received my letter telling you I’d soon be free.”
Catherine last spoke to her husband a week before he was kidnapped, and last received proof of life on 23 June 2013, however, she said she has not given up on him coming home safely.
“I have faith and I attribute a lot of my strength to prayer,” she said.
When asked how she coped with not knowing when she’ll see her husband, Catherine paused then said that she found she coped better when she kept herself busy and occupied herself with work.
“I guess it helps that I run as well – running helps me cope sometimes,” she said.
Talking a bit about Stephen, Catherine said her husband was a very adventurous man. Showing The Gazette a photo of him, she said, “You can see that he is so happy to be living his dream – travelling through Africa on his bike. He has a zest for life and adventure, as well as a deep passion for Africa.”
