“Separated” Refugee Bags University Degree

26 Dec 2012

“Separated” Refugee Bags University Degree

Recently though, Bertin had every reason to smile as he was conferred a bachelor’s degree in Public Administration and Political Science from the United Methodist University in Liberia. “My father and mother are peasant farmers. I was approaching 18 when we were separated from them in 2004 as we were not together when fighting broke. I was in Man while they were in Danane. I fled to Liberia with my sisters and we have been refugees since then,” he said. The fresh graduate is among a few Ivorian refugees whose dream of a university education has come true through the assistance of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Liberia.

“Fleeing from a Francophone country to Anglophone, everything was new to me but my spirit continued to tell me that I will succeed,” Bertin narrated the challenge he had to overcome. After completing his secondary education in Liberia’s Nimba County with UNHCR’s assistance, Bertin boldly relocated to the capital Monrovia in pursuit of his university dreams. Over the years, in addition to the tuition and other related fees, the UN refugee agency assisted him with stipend every semester for books, transportation and accommodation.

Notwithstanding funding constraints, from 2008 till this year six refugees, including Bertin, have benefited from scholarships to attend different universities in Liberia. One of the students successfully completed his studies from the Cuttington University sometime last year. Currently, there are four Ivorian university students undergoing studies thanks to UNHCR scholarship.

UNHCR Representative Cosmas Chanda has congratulated the refugee on his academic journey so far and his graduation. “It is always our desire to assist refugees and our delight to celebrate their successes. Depending on the availability of funds, we will definitely assist other refugees to realize their dreams,” he said.

Senior Protection Officer Anne-Elisabeth Ravetto noted that the graduation of an Ivorian refugee in Liberia is another example of the favourable asylum environment Liberia has been ensuring to all those who are in need of international protection. “Graduating from University is an important step in everybody’s life. Having managed to study while in exile and caring for his younger siblings is a real achievement. I do hope that his example will be followed by other youths in exile in Liberia” she noted. “I wish UNHCR could support more refugees to attend tertiary education in Liberia. I am calling on the humanitarian and development communities for more support as so far requests far exceed existing possibilities.”
The UNHCR education assistance policy prioritizes primary schooling both for camp-based and urban refugees. Liberia, which hosts about 65,000 Ivorian refugees, has a free primary education policy. Refugees are encouraged to take advantage of it while UNHCR provides material assistance such as uniforms, shoes, books and bags to refugee children. Last academic year, 300 urban refugee children received this assistance. This year more than 200 primary and secondary school pupils have benefited.

UNHCR is also building the capacity of refugees to improve their livelihood. Last year 40 adult refugees were sponsored in various vocational and skill training institutions while the same number is being assisted this year.
Having earned a degree and looking forward to further studies in future, Bertin says his goal is to beat poverty and also contribute to helping people in need. “I inherited extreme poverty, but I am working to transform that to prosperity,” he remarked, optimistically.