November 27, 2023
News
25-year-old Gloria, a refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo living in Zambia, had lost all hope to pursue a higher education until she received the news that she was selected for the DAFI scholarship for refugees. She is now a thriving bachelor's student in communication at the Cavendish University and wants to inspire other girls and refugees with her resilience. We spoke to Gloria in Lusaka, where she told us her story.
Aspiring for higher education
Gloria has faced a lot of challenges growing up. Her parents are from the Democratic Republic of Congo, but they took refuge in Zambia in 1993 after fleeing the war. The family lived in the Meheba refugee settlement until Gloria's father became very sick and was transferred to Lusaka, the capital of Zambia, for treatment. Gloria grew up on medical grounds in the capital. Despite her passion for school, she struggled to combine it with the family's financial difficulties. “My parents could not afford to take me to school. I had to support my family. I was really fighting hard to get a scholarship until I almost lost hope,” Gloria recalls.
Far from staying idle, Gloria focused on community work and engaged herself in a refugee transit centre to help the community, develop skills, and collect money to return to school. When she almost passed the age of admission at 25 and was losing hope of ever getting into university, Gloria decided to try one more time to get a scholarship. The motivated student received the good news that she was selected for the DAFI scholarship facilitated by Caritas Czech Republic in Zambia with the support of UNHCR. “I was so emotional, I still can’t believe it,” Gloria says with a smile on her face.
A bright future
Gloria is now in her second year of her bachelor's degree in Mass Communication and Public Relations at Cavendish University in Lusaka. She chose this programme because as she says: "Everything relies on communication, our whole world is centred around communication, and I really love this field.“ Her motivation is still strong, she is eager to pursue a master's degree.
For Gloria, the DAFI scholarship is unique: "The scholarship covers the tuition fees, assistance allowance, and housing allowance, which is awesome. We never really get this anywhere."
When asked about her dream job, Gloria said that her dream would be working for an NGO to give back to her community. If she does not work for an NGO, she wants to go freelance, in something where she could develop designs. "I want to inspire other girls and show them that they should not give up on themselves." Gloria also wants this powerful message to pass to other refugees trying to obtain a university degree. She wants them to keep fighting and not give up on their goals.
How Caritas Czech Republic supports refugees in Zambia
Refugees in Zambia, just like Gloria, face numerous challenges to access higher education. The Albert Einstein German Refugee Academic Initiative (DAFI) remains a beacon of hope for them. This initiative empowers refugees to pursue their academic aspirations by facilitating their enrollment in universities, allowing them to choose their desired field of study. The UNHCR and Caritas Czech Republic work under the DAFI programme in Zambia and provide crucial support to vulnerable refugees, addressing barriers through advocacy, technical expertise, financial assistance, and preparatory aid.
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