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.
Page 15 of 15
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“Having hands and mind to find a job:” the trajectory of Ngongo becoming an Entrepreneur
14 Aug 2017“Suffering makes you strong” is the phrase which describes the life of Mr. Gilbert Ngongo.
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Rwandan school welcomes Congolese refugee children with intellectual disabilities
8 Aug 2017This program supported by UNHCR aims at giving refugee children with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to attend educational programs tailored to their needs.
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UNHCR and UNFPA Host Embassy of Korea and Korea International Cooperation Agency Delegation Visit to Mahama Refugee Camp
26 Jul 2017The aim of the visit was for the delegation to get an overview of the achievements, challenges and conditions in the camp, and also to see first-hand the adolescent reproductive health project of UNFPA supported by the Government of Korea.
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UNHCR Highlights Contribution of Refugees to Rwanda’s Development at Cultural Evening Sponsored by Kigali Marriott Hotel
21 Jun 2017“Although refugees are often vulnerable and living in difficult conditions, many refugees are also capable, skilled and visionary and manage to stand on their own feet to contribute to their communities and also to their host country— We must honor and empower them,” Saber Azam
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From dream to reality: Burundian refugees take to the catwalk for Kigali Fashion Week 2017
16 Jun 2017“We are normal people like them, they have a dream we have dreams as well, they have talents and so do we” – Yvette, 21.
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Burundian refugees continue to arrive in Rwanda at slow, steady pace as Burundi crisis passes two-year mark
26 Apr 2017According to UNHCR statistics 406 Burundian refugees arrived in Rwanda in April 2017.
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Mahama: Burundian refugees get a New Permanent Water Treatment Plant
2 Dec 2016“With this new permanent water treatment plant, everything is now automated and we are sure of the quality and the quantity of water that will be provided to refugees.” – Mr. Saber Azam, UNHCR Representative
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A miracle to Shema and his Family
13 Jun 2016Shema’s mother, Jeannette Nyirabakobwa, mother of 8 can hardly get the means to complement the assistance provided to her family.