Song written by Lewis Bucumi
“Refugees”
I have something in my heart that I am missing.
My friend, are you all right?
Are you still fine?
Although I am a refugee,
it is not I who decided to be one.
Now I sleep in a tent,
yet once I had a beautiful house.
Please God, help Burundians find peace in their land.
Let your holy spirit come and judge people who do the killings.
I am not a street boy, as we Burundians say.
I did not come here because of hunger, as the leaders say.
I left behind plantations ripe for harvest.
I left maize ready but now eaten by bugs.
I abandoned cattle and sheep on the farm.
I left milk in the milk pots.
I left potato and cassava, now consumed by insects.
I left all at home.
I came with nothing.
Now I feed on maize, oil, beans.
At home I ate whatever I wanted.
I am here not because I wanted to come here. No!
I wanted to save my life!
I left the girl I love crying alone on the hills.
I thank Rwanda for welcoming us.
I thought I would never return to school and write.
I thank UNHCR and ADRA for the help they give.
You built a school so we can study as we once did.
We study math, English, French.
Parents, come together! Put our children in school.
In a refugee camp, nothing can be higher priority
than educating our children.
May God bless you.
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Navigating Teen Pregnancy in a Refugee Camp
19 Apr 2024Anne*, 18, a Congolese refugee living in the Mahama camp in Rwanda, embodies the resilience of displaced young mothers when life gets tough. Anne’s arduous journey began in 2012 when, at the tender age of six, she fled the turmoil of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) with her family, […]
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Congolese refugee’s battle with cardiac disease
19 Mar 2024It was a nightmare when, in mid-2021, Obed Nyirimigabo, now aged 67, started abruptly losing consciousness every so often. This was compounded by difficulties breathing, heightened weakness, severe dryness, loss of appetite, and sleep struggles. “At first, I went to the health centre and they gave me some medicines, but […]
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From surviving to thriving: a Congolese refugee woman’s journey into business
8 Mar 2024At a grocery store in Kigeme Refugee Camp, Diane Feza is busy weighing food items including flour, rice, and potatoes before handing them to buyers. The Congolese refugee also chats with customers who want to withdraw money through the agent banking system. This is her daily activity to sustain her […]
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Refugee men in Mahama take the lead in raising awareness about gender-based violence
16 Feb 2024In Mahama camp, a group of refugee men is standing up against gender-based violence (GBV). These men, by being positive and supportive, are contributing to support women feel comfortable with talking about things they couldn’t talk about before. “When we conduct campaigns in the camp, more people become aware of gender-based […]
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European Union funding has vital impact on refugees in Rwanda in 2023
31 Jan 2024The European Union (EU) through its Humanitarian Aid Operations helped to support refugees in Rwanda last year as part of its EUR 1.75 million funding to UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, in Rwanda. In particular, EU funding contributed to the protection of Burundian refugees living in Mahama refugee camp helping […]
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Refugee students in Rwanda need more support to strive for a better future
24 Jan 2024While 70 percent of young refugees are enrolled in secondary school, only 4 percent of refugees enroll in higher education in Rwanda.
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Community Health Care advances refugee well-being in Nyabiheke refugee camp
27 Dec 2023Julienne, a Congolese refugee and nurse, attends to Frank who has been admitted to the health centre in Nyabiheke refugee camp with an ear infection. His mother, Patience, explains that the infection has been a recurring problem over the last couple of months but that doctors and nurses at the […]
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Japan pledges support to UNHCR on health and economic opportunities for displaced populations in Rwanda
15 Dec 2023The Government of Japan today announced new funding amounting to USD 600,000 to UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, in Rwanda for its 2024 programme. Specifically, support will be directed towards assisting refugees and asylum seekers in health and nutrition, and increasing livelihood and economic opportunities. Rwanda is currently host to […]
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Improved infrastructure enhances educational standards in Rwandan schools hosting refugees
14 Dec 2023The construction of new classrooms at GS Mugombwa, a school hosting both Rwandans and refugee students from Mugombwa camp in Gisagara District, has proven to be a game-changer. The alleviation of overcrowding has created an environment where students can more effectively engage with their teachers’ explanations, enhancing the quality of […]
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Clean cooking energy improves lives in Mugombwa refugee camp
12 Dec 2023Around midday, Dina Umutesi, a Congolese refugee living in Mugombwa camp located in southern Rwanda, has just turned on her gas stove to prepare her family’s meals. She’s confident that it won’t take long to get her lunch ready. But the daily cooking routine hasn’t always been this smooth in […]