June 20, 2024
News
Fiston fled the Democratic Republic of Congo in search of safety, arriving at Zambia's Meheba refugee settlement in 2015. Today, a new chapter has opened for him. With the support from Caritas Czech Republic, Fiston pursued a computer science degree at Cavendish University in Lusaka. His story is an inspiring testament to the transformative power of education, illustrating how it can empower refugees to overcome adversity and build a promising future.
Fiston escaped the war and life in the refugee camp to study at university
Fiston is a 27-year-old refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Like many other Congolese, he fled a violent situation to find shelter in a neighbouring country with his two younger sisters and aunt. They all came to Zambia in 2015 and found refuge in the Meheba refugee settlement.
In the settlement, Fiston finished secondary school and dreamed of going to university. But for refugees in Zambia, although they are safe, it is difficult to pursue tertiary education. That is why Caritas Czech Republic, together with UNHCR, provides the DAFI scholarships to help refugees afford to study at university. “I applied for the scholarship two years ago and I was so happy when I received it,“ Fiston shares with us in a classroom at Cavendish University in Lusaka, where he is now studying computer science.
Today, Fiston is a promising university student, but getting the scholarship was not easy, as he says. “A lot of people applied for the scholarship, so it was difficult to get it. Thank God I was one of the three people selected from our refugee settlement,” he describes, adding that his journey to higher education was not without obstacles. “To ensure I got into the programme, I went back to high school to study in grade 9 and achieved good results.”
The university student told us more about his secret to success. “The school is not difficult, but it is not easy. It requires a lot of commitment, concentration, and sacrifice. You also have to be organised with your time management and disciplined. When all these things are put together, you can make it.”
Fiston's favourite subject is Information Communication Technology, as it is related to his desired career. As a hardworking and ambitious student, he is teaching himself to code in his free time.
Scholarships enable refugees to cover tuition fees and other expenses
In 2023, it was reported that this conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) caused the displacement of nearly 7 million people. The DRC has been ravaged by decades of conflict marked by inter-communal tensions and battles involving more than a hundred rebel groups, resulting in the loss of up to 6 million lives since 1996.
Moreover, the refugees managing to flee this violence and conflict are highly exposed to economic hardship. It is difficult for them to study at university as they cannot afford the tuition fees or even study books and accommodation in the big cities. For these reasons, Caritas Czech Republic supports refugees in their search for higher education with the Albert Einstein German Refugee Academic Initiative (DAFI).
The scholarship pays for Fiston’s school fees, allowance, and his accommodation in the costly capital city of Lusaka. Therefore, he can pursue a bachelor’s degree in computer science with 180 fellow students at Cavendish University.
Nowadays, Fiston enjoys living in Zambia, as he says it is a peaceful country. This brings him hope for a better future for himself and others like him. “After I finish school, I want to impact my community by sharing the skills I gained. I want to give back to them what I have,“ he says.
In fact, after receiving a higher education, many refugees work as volunteer teachers or community workers in the refugee settlements. They contribute to helping other refugees become more qualified, and therefore more self-reliant to accomplish their own goals.
Fiston imparts his wisdom through a message to his peers. “You must always remain prepared, as you never know when an opportunity for a better life will come your way. I believe that if you try to do what you can, there is always a way.”
DAFI programme helps refugees escape poverty
The DAFI scholarship programme has been ongoing for 32 years and is funded by the German Embassy and UNHCR. This much-needed initiative empowers refugees, by allowing them to pursue their academic ambitions in a prosperous financial context. Through their college degree, they gain the required skills and knowledge to strive for a better life and a stable career.
By financially supporting refugees’ education, through the DAFI programme, refugees can finally escape the poverty cycle. Through higher education, they become less dependent on outside aid and can bring change to strengthen their communities from within. This is why the DAFI scholarships have such a positive impact on the lives of young refugees worldwide.
Caritas Czech Republic supports refugees in Zambia
Caritas Czech Republic supports refugees through programmes such as the DAFI scholarship to enable them to pursue undergraduate studies in their host country.
In Zambia, where there are approximately 75,000 refugees mainly from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola, Burundi, and Rwanda, we collaborate with the UNHCR to carry out the DAFI programme and aid vulnerable refugees in accessing higher education.
We aim to bring more sustainable development to Zambia by helping refugees gain skills, start businesses, and train farmers to improve crop yields despite the challenges of climate change.
