By Madeline Balser | Development & Communications Coordinator
Umutoni is a 15-year-old refugee girl from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Before war and violence overtook her home country, her life was good. She lived with her parents, attended school, and lived a normal life. She was 12 years old when she was forced to flee the DRC due to war and conflict.Umutoni has not seen her parents since, as she lost them in the chaos of fleeing. Umutoni caught a ride in a vehicle up to the border and then crossed into Kenya by foot. She was arrested along the way but was eventually released and made her way to Nairobi. A man from the Congo gave her shelter in his house for three months until she was reunited with her brother.
Umutoni was eventually referred toRefuSHE by a community worker.Coming to RefuSHE’s campus was a relief for Umutonias she was struggling to eat, clothe herself, and find safe shelter. Through RefuSHE, Umutoni now receives education, transportation, food, sanitary towels, clothes, medical care, a mattress and bedding, and mental health care.
Her hope is to join high school and continue her education since she will be sitting for her national exams this November. If she does not pass, she plans to start her own business. If she does pass, she wants to support other young girls and women in the community by sharing her story and encouraging them to go to school.
“I am so grateful to RefuSHE for giving me an opportunity to study and a place to call home”.
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