“My name is Ezekiel and I am a 58 years old. I came to Nyarugusu camp in May 2015 with my wife and nine children. This is the second time I have ran away from Burundi to Tanzania. The first time was in 1997 and at that time I stayed in Mtabila refugee camp.

Life has not been easy for me and my family. We do not have any source of income in the camp. We are fully dependent on the humanitarian assistance provided by UNHCR and other organizations. I used to own several properties back in Burundi. Now, I have nothing. I miss my freedom and I miss the house we used to live in. Instead we have to make do with living in tents here. There is nothing that I want more than freedom for me and my family.

I am thankful that at least my children are able to study in the makeshift schools set in the camp. But you should see the school to understand the situation here. There are too many children to be squeezed in a single classroom. At the moment, the solution that was offered is to create morning and afternoon shifts. I think the lack of space creates another challenge for children studying in the camp.

Our lives are restricted. We have been robbed of our freedom. But at least here our lives are safe and we feel protected. My dream is to someday be resettled in another country where my family and I can be happy together.”

Published by Stephen Mhando, UNHCR

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