The UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR Kenya, facilitated an exchange programme in partnership with The French School in Nairobi for refugee students from Francophone countries living in Kakuma refugee camp. The purpose of this visit by the students was to give them an opportunity to learn with their peers and receive […]
The UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR Kenya, facilitated an exchange programme in partnership with The French School in Nairobi for refugee students from Francophone countries living in Kakuma refugee camp. The purpose of this visit by the students was to give them an opportunity to learn with their peers and receive books and stationary donations from the school.
Three students from Kakuma; Ramazani Mwemedi, Shinah Shekinah and Margerita Kashala were visibly excited about this opportunity which gave them an opportunity to refresh their French. “I have really enjoyed learning with the students here,” said 11 year old Ramazani, who hails from Congo. His sentiments were shared by 12 year old Margerita whose French is impressive.
The three students study in Kakuma refugee camp but they do not have French classes, something that worries 13 years old Shinah from Congo. “We forget how to speak or sometimes even struggle to speak in French because we only speak in Kiswahili, English and our local language,” she said. “Coming to The French School and learning together with the students here was enjoyable. We would like to have French classes in Kakuma.” She added.
“We forget how to speak or sometimes even struggle to speak in French because we only speak in Kiswahili, English and our local language.”
“In the camp students from Francophone countries do not get to speak in French as much and the hope is that the books donated by The French School will help those in the camps.” Said Catherine Hamon Sharpe, UNHCR Assistant Representative – Protection, who delivered the books and stationary donation in Kakuma accompanied by a student representative from The French School.
Ramazani Mwemedi, Shinah Shekinah and Margerita Kashala from Kakuma recieve some of the books donated by The French School as UNHCR Protection Assistant Catherine Hamon-Sharpe and French School students look on. UNHCR/M.Ndubi
Catherine Hamon preceded over the handover ceremony of the donations to students from different schools across the camp at the Kakuma’s Teachers Resource Centre. The donations, which included reading and writing materials, are aimed at helping the Francophone students keep in touch with their language and culture while they are here in the camp.
In August 2013, The French Ambassador to Kenya Mr. Remi Marechaux preceded over the official opening of a French sponsored community library in Kakuma 3 and donated books for the Francophone Community. The library is still operational and the intention is to have it more resourced for the benefit of the Kakuma Community.
As the three students bid goodbye to their new friends at The French School in Nairobi, one of the teachers could not hide his optimism and requested UNHCR to facilitate more of such visits. The welcoming students were also very interested to know how they can help. “Can we send them more books for them in the refugee camp?” asked one curious student in fluent French. “Such gestures from young children is very impressive,” said UNHCR Assistant Representative, Ms. Catherine Hamon Sharpe. “We hope that such partnerships will continue so that the children from Francophone countries do not forget how to speak in French.”
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