When war broke out in his native Anderamboukane village located in the Malian Azawad northern region, Mohamed Bilal who was already reading science of education at the University of Bamako had no option but to join his fleeing family to neighboring Niger where they lived at the Abala refugee camp.

”To me and most of my friends who were forced to abandon studies, all was bleak before us” he says, “but Alhamdoulilah (thanks be to God), in August 2013 the DAFI scholarship offer was announced by UNHCR Niger for studies in Senegal ”, recalls the 25 year old Bilal who is currently studying project management at “école des cadres” in Niamey. He says even though in the end most of them were not successful at the selection process for the German programme, UNHCR gave them a second chance and offered them local scholarships. Today two of them are comfortably pursuing higher studies. “The scholarship has rekindled hope and joy in my life and I will evidently serve as a good example for my fellow brothers and sisters who are in the camps or have precipitated their return to Mali”, he explains with mixed feelings. Voluntary repatriation has abruptly ended the education of thousands of Malian pupils and students at the behest of their parents.

To another Malian compatriot, the scholarship offer is a dream comes true because since his arrival in Niger, he had pressurized UNHCR and the authorities of Niger for a scholarship to continue his studies. “I received many unfulfilled promises until June 6, 2013 when finally the UNHCR Representative made it a reality after a long wait. And today, my patience has paid up; today I have a UNHCR scholarship; thanks be to God”. According to Mahamane Moussa 22, the scholarship has impacted his life very much. “If by the grace of God I return to my country one day, I will certainly contribute to the development of my country with the education I am receiving in my country of asylum.” concludes Mahamane who is studying project management in the same institution as Bilal.

Both Bilal and Mahamane are not only concerned but excited to sensitize their fellow compatriots in exile on the merits of continuing with their education and wish that UNHCR should facilitate this initiative for them during the holidays.

Even though opportunities for pursuing higher education are extremely limited, UNHCR managed to provide scholarships for few Malians and other refugees of other nationalities. So far, fifteen undergraduate refugees are currently studying in higher institutions on UNHCR scholarships in Niger. Few Chadian refugees benefit from the German DAFI programme. Prospects for graduate refugees are not all gleam as the socio-economic conditions are very difficult in Niger, one of the poorest countries on earth, which put limitations on opportunities for successful local integration. UNHCR is also engaged in advocacy to promote the implementation of the ECOWAS protocols on the freedom of movement in order to facilitate the issuance of identity cards / passports to refugees to improve on their chances of employment in the sub-region.