My parents would prepare breakfast for me before I went to school.

He fled violence in Burundi.

“My name is Gerard, a 20 year old Burundian refugee. I came to the Reception Centre in Mtendeli refugee camp to see if there is anyone that I know who arrives with one of the buses from Burundi.

I traveled alone here. I miss my parents. But what good is it to miss them now? They were killed in Burundi at the peak of the political violence.

I walked for days to cross the border after my parents were killed. Some relatives told me to escape. So I did. I moved from village to village on my journey, walking alone, drained of energy and faith.

I have been in Mtendeli refugee camp for a few months now. I have started studying in the temporary schools constructed by UNHCR and UNICEF. Here I feel safe. Attending school every day in the camp has given me a sense of purpose while living in the camp.

In Burundi my days would start with me waking up to get ready for breakfast. My parents would prepare breakfast for me before I went to school.  Sometimes I prepare my own meals, but after school I mostly had a meal waiting for me. But here I have to collect my food ration on distribution day which means I have no other choice but to skip school every distribution day as I have to prepare my own meals.”

 

Studying in the camp poses a significant challenge for Gerard as he does not have anyone else to help him to collect his food ration at the WFP food distribution site. Gerard like other refugee children in Mtendeli refugee camp have dreams beyond their lives on the run. Through his interaction with the UNHCR field officers in the camp, Gerard has developed a deep respect over the work of the humanitarian community.

 

“One day when I finish my studies, I would like to work for UNHCR and help other refugees. I do not want other people to suffer like me. UNHCR is the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. I learned that while studying in Burundi. Now I get to see the good work that they are doing here for us. These days when I see UNHCR, I feel safe. I know that UNHCR helps all of us here in the camp. At school, my favourite lesson is French. But I am also passionate about learning English. I hope my linguistic skills can someday help me to fulfill my dreams.

I do not want to return to Burundi. The future is bleak if the current situation persists in Burundi.”

Published by Stephen Mhando, UNHCR

 

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Like Gerard, many teens in all three refugee camps in Kigoma region, namely Nyarugusu, Nduta and Mtendeli camps are currently studying in the secondary schools set inside the premises of the camps. However, with Gerard soon graduating his studies in the secondary level of education, he faces the looming possibility of not being able to continue to a higher (formal) education. UNHCR working together with Plan International, Medecins Sans Frontiers Switzerland, International Rescue Committee, Ministry of Home Affairs officials and Oxfam Great Britain as well as other partners are collaborating together to bridge this issue by providing Life-Skills Training programmes for youth in the camps. These skills include communications; HIV-AIDS, adolescent sexual reproductive health, Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV), child protection, peace and conflict resolution, hygiene and sanitation. Meanwhile, specific vocational training programmes are also being implemented which include soap and bread making, tailoring and other crafts making competency. Although these informal skills are important for these teens like Gerard, they never stop dreaming of being able to continue to a higher formal education when the situation in Burundi stabilizes.

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