Nathalie’s Story, Central African Republic
Nathalie during a verification exercise for urban refugees in Bangui. Photo by UNHCR/2014.
As a young girl, I was member of the “World Association of Girl Guides and Girls Scouts” in the Central African Republic. The Association taught me to offer my services to other people and this became my goal in life.
As a Protection Officer at UNHCR, I orient people towards solutions to the problems that they face in everyday life. When I see a woman, for example, whose daughter was raped, I explain to her all existing options and I help her turn to justice. The most rewarding part is that I help others endure their suffering and achieve something that they couldn’t before.
I will always remember how we achieved a much bigger participation of women in the administration at the Batalimo refugee camp in the CAR. When I arrived, there were only men at the camp committees. Before the closure of the camp, women represented 50% of the participants.
Nathalie Mbondji-Kenat
Field Protection Officer
UNHCR Bangui, Central African Republic
