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From the Camp to the Campus – UNHCR and the German Embassy in Rwanda host the 25th Anniversary of the DAFI scholarship programme for refugees

From the Camp to the Campus – UNHCR and the German Embassy in Rwanda host the 25th Anniversary of the DAFI scholarship programme for refugees

14 December 2017
25 years of DAFI surplace scholarships for refugees 25 years of DAFI Programme
Kigali, Rwanda - As 2017 marks the 25th anniversary of the German-funded Albert Einstein Academic Refugee Initiative (DAFI), the UN Refugee Agency and the German Embassy in Rwanda, together with the Ministry of Disaster Management and Refugee Affairs (MIDIMAR), hosted a special event to invite DAFI students and alumni to share their testimonies and network among the diplomatic community and private companies operating in Rwanda.

25 DAFI students and alumni from all five Congolese refugee camps in Rwanda joined the evening event. The testimonies started with Cairo Rudacyahwa, a refugee from the Democratic Republic of the Congo who has been living in Gihembe refugee camp most of his life. Cairo received a DAFI scholarship in 2008 and moved to the city to attend the University of Rwanda to complete his degree in English Literature. Now he is pursuing his postgraduate studies while working in the education sector of Rwanda. Through his success, Cairo has been able to support his younger brother to complete his secondary education and is now pursuing his own university career path.

“DAFI is also testimony to the fact that refugees don’t need a hand-out -- they just need an opportunity and will do the rest on their own. We need to take note of this as we are changing our humanitarian mind-sets.” observed Ahmed Baba Fall, UNHCR Representative.

DAFI is intended to strengthen refugees’ capacity, making them self-reliant people who can actively contribute to the development of their communities. Since its inception in 1992, the DAFI programme has grown considerably, enabling 2,321 refugee students to study at universities and colleges in 40 countries of asylum in 2015. In Rwanda alone, 266 young refugees have benefited from the support of DAFI scholarships. 147 graduates are employed in the Rwandan labour market, and moving off of humanitarian assistance to better support their families.

“On behalf of the Government of Rwanda, I commend the DAFI Programme that has contributed to the refugee community accessing durable solutions. The programme also provides role models for other refugee students to advance their schooling. Refugee integration through education lights hope for both refugees and host communities.” The Honourable Minister of MIDIMAR, Jeanne d’Arc de Bonheur remarked.

The Government of Rwanda has adopted an enabling environment for refugees, including refugees having the freedom of movement and the right to work. The Government has also promoted the financial inclusion of refugees through explicit reference to refugees in the National Financial Inclusion Strategy of Rwanda. However, refugees still face challenges in accessing employment as there is a lack of general awareness among local employers regarding refugee’s right to employment in Rwanda.

“We have to spread the message. We have to create awareness.” urged the German Ambassador, Peter Worste. “Refugees can open bank accounts; employers don’t need to oblige to any special registration process to employ a refugee and refugees will contribute to their host country by paying taxes. So what is my message tonight: If any of you here tonight have a chance to send a tweet or a Facebook message on this event tonight, please use this to spread this message: In Rwanda refugees are allowed to work. Employ refugees!”

Learn more on DAFI: http://www.unhcr.org/dafi-scholarships.html

Learn more on the right of refugees to work in Rwanda: https://www.unhcr.org/rw/12164-right-work-refugees-rwanda.html