Welcome to voices
Part of the mandate of JRS is to help give a voice to refugees. This section is dedicated to just that. Here you will find stories from refugees, their successes and the challenges they face rebuilding their lives.

Syria: family mornings in Damascus 03 May 2013 Damascus, 3 May 2013 – How lovely is a meeting between human beings, a meeting in which we desire to show our love and feelings towards each other. I felt something similar to this when I met the families at the JRS St Albert Hurtado House in Bab Touma. Neither I nor they had known each other before, but I felt as if we had known each other for a long time. Read more >>

Jordan: school, a place where communities are built 15 March 2013 Amman, 15 March 2013 – Life is full of haphazard coincidences. That is how I discovered the Jesuit Refugee Service. On a study trip in the Amman looking to interview refugees for my research, I was given a list of telephone numbers, one of which was for JRS Jordan. Read more >>

Turkey: what we can do, we do 19 February 2013 Ankara, 19 February 2013 — The Jesuit Refugee Service in Ankara owes a debt of gratitude to 20 expat volunteers who on a regular basis volunteer their time and donate items to the JRS project. In the last month alone, JRS received almost 200 brand new blankets, 30 brand new jackets and 50 used jackets. The response to a call for two wheelchairs was answered within two hours. Read more >>

Thailand: voices from the factory 17 January 2013 Mae Sot, 17 January 2013 – Thailand is home to hundreds of thousands of Burmese migrant workers, more than 100,000 of whom work in Mae Sot's factories. Read more >>

Indonesia: escape from Rakhine state 23 November 2012 Cisarua, 23 November 2012 – JRS met Noor in Cisarua at the end of October 2012. Eight years ago, he fled his home town of Buthidaung town in the Burmese state of Rakhine. A member of the Rohingya ethnic minority, Noor tells a harrowing tale of struggle and survival in the face of poverty and persecution. This is his story. Read more >>

Uganda: a long struggle 30 August 2012 Juba, 30 August 2012 – My name is Reuben* and I'm a former refugee, now living back in my home country, South Sudan. I want to share my story about the support JRS provided me over the years. Read more >>

Malawi: the JRS I could see and touch 16 July 2012 Ohio, 16 July 2012 - I remember life in Dzaleka camp in Malawi from 1995 to 1997 both as a blessing and as one of the most stressful situations I've ever been in. It was a blessing because I had a place where I legally belonged. It was home. I was alive, accounted for, fed, clothed and I could see a nurse or a doctor if I became ill. There were no more sounds of guns, grenades or bombs. It was calm; I could actually sleep. Before long, I handed over the tent in which I had been living and moved into a house. Even if many shared one house, a refugee camp with houses was a treat. Read more >>

France: Welcome... 16 July 2012 Paris, 16 July 2012 – He is there, squatting on the kitchen floor and peeling potatoes, clearly feeling very much at home, as if he were back in the Afghan countryside. "Good evening! Had a good day?"Actually I've had a bad day and his welcoming smile makes me feel brighter; I'm glad of the ray of sunlight in my kitchen. Read more >>

Syria: JRS centre offers a fresh start to Iraqis 28 May 2012 Aleppo, 28 May 2012 – After his daughter, Ghufran, was shot in the leg and his home and business attacked, Bassam Abdullah had reached his limit. Six days later he fled. In 2010, three years later, his wife and four children came across the JRS Deir Vartan Centre, a stroke of luck which changed his life. Read more >>

Democratic Republic of Congo: fleeing domestic violence in the night 03 May 2012 Goma, 3 May 2012 – A story of domestic violence in a camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in eastern Congo, the protagonist, Mama Jocelyne, is an ordinary woman, one of so many forced to bear abuse in addition to living the midst of armed conflict. Read more >>

South Sudan: a role model for students and teachers 04 May 2012 Nimule, 4 May 2012 – Esther is a role model for her community. A secondary education teacher of commerce and accounting at Fulla Secondary School, Nimule, and a mother of three, she exudes happiness, confidence and professionalism. However, as a former refugee, the journey to this point has not been easy. She attributes her success to the support of JRS over a period of nearly 12 years, from 2000 to 2011. Read more >>

Ethiopia: recreation eases difficulty of camp life 03 May 2012 Dollo Ado, 3 May 2012 – My first experience with refugees was in Mai-Aini camp in northwest Ethiopia. I worked with Jesuit Refugee Service as a Sports and Recreational Activities Officer there for just under a year. Eighty percent of the camp residents were young, male Eritrean refugees, most of whom had fled their country for political reasons. The life-affirming challenges I met there prepared me for my current role in Dollo Ado, Ethiopia. Read more >>

Philippines: carpentry in a post-conflict and post-disaster community 16 April 2012 Bubong, 16 April 2012 – Fortunato is the carpenter JRS hired to build permanent houses for the 50 Muslim families who lost their homes during the typhoon Sendong that hit Bubong, Lanao del Sur in December 2011. Read more >>

Cambodia: surviving mines and war was just the beginning 05 April 2012 Siem Reap, 5 April 2012 – "If you write about my story, you'll never finish". Han chuckles, revealing a mouthful of dark, empty crevices. Her teeth are yellowed and cracked, but don't be fooled by her appearance life has not worn her down yet. Read more >>

Rwanda: education, a new outlook on life for young refugees 29 March 2012 Kibuye, 29 March 2012 – For Benjamin Twizere, an opportunity to participate in the JRS cooking and baking course has given him a new lease on life. One of 65 refugee students in western Rwanda offered a chance by JRS to learn a trade; he grabbed it with both hands. Read more >>

Burundi: Pascal's story, one of dignity and hope for the future 20 March 2012 Bujumbura, 20 March 2012 – At the end of 2012, JRS will close its projects in Burundi. After 17 years of providing education and building livelihoods, former refugees assisted by the organisation are now in a position to lead independent and dignified lives with hope for a better future. The family of Pascal Ntirujimana is one of those stories of hope and relative prosperity. Read more >>

Cambodia: landmine survivor advocates for change 23 November 2011 Geneva, 23 November 2011 — With just days to go until the 11th Meeting of States Parties in Cambodia, the International Campaign to Ban Landmines interviewed Song Kosal, from the Cambodian Campaign to Ban Landmines. Here Kosal speaks about her experience after a landmine accident and the need to spread the word about landmines. Read more >>

Cambodia: veteran landmine campaigner seeks concrete results from UN conference 22 November 2011 Geneva, 21 November 2011 — The International Campaign to Ban Landmines recently interviewed Sr Denise Coghlan, Jesuit Refugee Service Cambodia Director – and member of the Cambodian Campaign to Ban Landmines. Sr Denise has been based in Cambodia and involved in the landmine issue and the campaign for more than 20 years. Read more >>

Ukraine: refugee family finds no protection 29 June 2011 Brussels, 29 June 2011 – Hakimi is a 38-year-old Afghan mother of four. She came to Ukraine fleeing from war and danger in Afghanistan, but her journey was not a direct one. Read more >>

Thailand: beyond the playground - young girl makes the most of education 03 June 2011 Bangkok, 03 June 2011 – We first met Khin Chor Su at her elementary school. Her teachers were impressed with her dedication to her studies and thought we should meet her to hear about the importance of education for Burmese migrants in Ranong, Thailand. Read more >>

Timor Leste: a new home leads to a new future 11 May 2011 Dili, 11 May, 2011 – Ms Angelina Fernandes was born in 1970 in a district near Dili. When she got married she and her husband moved to Suco Camea, Dili. Not long after that, her husband died, leaving her alone with her three children, 15, 13 and two. During the 2006 fighting with Indonesia, she fled with her kids and took refuge at the parish of Santa Teresinha in Camea. Read more >>

Kenya: Students’ voices from Kakuma 21 March 2011 Kakuma, 21 March 2011 - Almost 60 refugees now have access to higher education in Kakuma refugee camp, after JRS officially launched a distance-education project with Jesuit universities in the US. While 35 students are enrolled for a three-year Diploma in Liberal Studies course, 21 participate in a three-month certificate course in Psychosocial Case Management. Here are some of their reactions on the day of the launch: Read more >>

Thailand: Mary's House is home to many 31 January 2011 Wiang Hang, 31 January, 2011– Mary shuffles slowly through her home. At 75-years old, it takes her longer to get around than it used to. After running her orphanage – modestly named Mary’s House – for 11 years, she admits that she feels her age. Read more >>

Thailand: From fear to future -- becoming a leader after persecution 28 January 2011 Mae Hon Song, 16 December 2010 – As Khu Bue Reh sits at his desk in the corner of a dusty classroom in Northern Thailand’s Ban Mai Nai Soi refugee camp, the responsibility of his new position ways heavily on his slight shoulders. Read more >>

Thailand: Spending teen years detained 13 January 2011 Bangkok, 14 January 2010 – Looking at Divea, she seems like an average 18-year-old girl. Wearing a fashionable denim skirt with a t-shirt and long, black hair, she could easily fit in at her high school back in Sri Lanka. But after speaking with Divea for a few minutes, you may forget that she is only 18. Unfortunately, she seems to have forgotten as well. After spending over a year detained in Bangkok's Immigration Detention Centre, she says she has been forced to grow up fast. Read more >>

Kenya: Somali widower counsels community despite caring for five children 25 November 2010 In May 2010 my wife Foos passed away and left me five children, all underage, while I am at the retired age of 64 years and have no other person who can take care of them if I today pass away. Read more >>

Rwanda: former refugee shares her story 27 September 2010 I was born in 1979 in the district of Kayonza in Kabare II, a sector of Rwanda’s Eastern Province. In 1994, I fled my country due to the war. After moving to Akagera, I crossed to Tanzania with my parents, one brother and two sisters. We left behind two other brothers: one in Kigali, the other in Cyangugu. They both had to flee to Congo but happily in 1995 they could join us in the refugee camp of Cyabarisa II. Read more >>

Timor Leste: Returnees find hardship at home 26 July 2010 Dili, 26 July 2010 – Helena is a 50-year-old widow living in the Timorese village of Becora. Her day starts early. By 6am she is washing clothes for a local laundrette. The small amount of money she receives is just enough to feed her four children and keep three of them in school. There simply isn’t enough money to pay the fees for her 8-year-old son. Read more >>

Timor Leste: Ageing couple receive new home 26 July 2010 Dili, 26 July 2010 – Maria Simao and her husband live with their 40 year-old daughter, Jacinta, in the hamlet of Moris Foun, about an hour’s drive, along a mountainous and pot-holed road, from the capital, Dili. Read more >>

Cambodia: Without rights and opportunities, integration is an illusion for urban refugees 23 July 2010 Phnom Penh, 23 July 2010 – Htin and his wife, Myaing, are recognised refugees from Burma. They managed to escape persecution from the Burmese junta for their pro-democratic activities, only to find themselves struggling with day-to-day life in Cambodia. Read more >>

Cambodia: Somali refugee resettled in the US 23 July 2010 Phnom Penh, 23 July 2010 – Omar came to the JRS office the day he was about to leave for America. He brought with him a piece of paper with ‘St Louis’ written on it. He sat in my office and we looked at a map of America and found St Louis. He asked me if it was very cold there. Read more >>

Ethiopia: I came with empty hands 20 June 2010 In 2005, I fled the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) with my wife and three children because of the civil war. It took us weeks to arrive at the Ethiopian border after having crossed Uganda and Kenya. When we finally reached the capital, Addis Ababa, our clothes were tattered and we were weak. We presented our cases and sought asylum. Read more >>

Malta: instability hinders integration 20 June 2010 Jean has a degree in Communications and he worked as a journalist in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). His reporting activities about the events in the DRC resulted in his life being threatened and eventually he was forced to flee the country. Read more >>

Kenya: someone who really cares 20 June 2010 When I fled Somalia I did not do so because of the war. You get used to gunshots and shelling. I fled because of personal problems. My stepfather owed money to a certain man who kept asking my mother for it, long after she had been divorced from him. Read more >>

Thailand: Living in fear of detention and deportation 20 June 2010 Az Bhatti fled Pakistan due to religious persecution in September 2008. He is one of an estimated 2,600 urban refugees and asylum seekers living in Bangkok, Thailand. Az Bhatti is from a religious minority group called the Ahmadiyya who are considered heretical by orthodox Muslims in Pakistan. A number of laws have been passed that make it a criminal offence for Ahmadis to profess, practice and preach their faith. “We can’t use Muslim verses. We can’t even say salaam alaikum,” says Az sadly. Read more >>

South Africa: success stories of refugee integration 20 June 2010 Being in a foreign country as a refugee, a migrant or an asylum seeker is not as easy as one would think. We always wonder what it would be like to go to another country to seek refuge, safety and protection. We are sure that many people like us asked themselves these questions, but unfortunately today we find ourselves in a foreign country. Read more >>

South Africa: fear of the unknown 20 June 2010 My name is Tshela Mukendi and I am a single mother of six from the Democratic Republic of Congo. I have seen death; I have smelt it and I have touched it. Through the grace of God, I was able to survive. I found refuge in South Africa. But today I am afraid. I am afraid of death. I thought I could put the thought of death behind me but here I am today in South Africa living in fear of death. Read more >>

Venezuela: without documentation, rebuilding the lives of refugees is anything but easy 20 June 2010 “I used to live in Cúcuta (Colombia) until I was forced to come here after being threatened by paramilitaries. I had a brother who was demobilised (from the paramilitaries); he had stepped down and they were looking for him. For them it was easier to find me because my husband was a musician at the time. He was playing in village called, La Floresta, when they realised he was my husband. Read more >>

Panama: living in safety, but denied his rights 20 June 2010 "I used to live in Juradó, Colombia. We fled there due to insecurity caused by subversive, guerilla, and paramilitary groups. There were some many abuses of authority. They obliged people to supply them with services. If they refused, there were consequences. If you agreed to supply one group with services, you would have problems with another. They would kill you. It was a real problem to be there. We were caught in the middle. On 12 December 1999, Juradó fell to the guerillas and they took all the food and the petrol. Subsequently, they forced us, the whole population, to leave the area. At that moment we decided to flee to nearby Panama. Read more >>

Bienvenus à « Voix »
Une partie du mandat du JRS est d’aider à donner une voix aux réfugiés. Cette section y est consacrée. Vous trouverez ici des histoires de réfugiés, leurs succès et les défis qu’ils affrontent pour reconstruire leurs vies.

Syrie: les matins familiaux à Damas 03 May 2013 Damas, le 3 mai 2013 – Quelle merveille ces rencontres entre personnes humaines, des rencontres qui sont l'occasion de nous manifester notre amour et nos sentiments. C'est un peu ce que j'ai ressenti lorsque j'ai rencontré les familles dans la maison St Albert Hurtado dans le quartier de Bab Touma. Nous ne nous étions jamais rencontrés auparavant, et pourtant j'avais l'impression que nous nous connaissions depuis toujours. Lire la suite >>>

Jordanie: l'école est un lieu où se construisent les communautés 15 March 2013 Amman, le 15 mars 2013 – La vie est pleine de coïncidences. L'une d'entre elles m'a permis de découvrir l'existence du Service Jésuite des Réfugiés. A l'occasion d'un voyage d'études à Amman pour y interviewer des réfugiés dans le cadre de ma recherche, on m'a donné une série de numéros de téléphone, parmi lesquels il y avait celui du JRS. Lire la suite >>>

Turquie: ce que nous pouvons faire, nous le faisons 19 February 2013 Ankara, le 19 février 2013 – Le Service Jésuite des Réfugiés à Ankara a une dette de reconnaissance envers 20 expatriés bénévoles qui font régulièrement don de leur temps et de biens matériels au profit du projet du JRS. Au cours du seul mois dernier mois, le JRS a reçu 20 couvertures, 30 vestes flambant neuves, et 50 pantalons usagés. En deux heures nous avons eu une réponse à un appel pour deux fauteuils roulants. Lire la suite >>>

Thaïlande: témoignages sur la vie en usine 17 January 2013 Mae Sot, le 17 janvier 2013 – Des centaines de milliers de réfugiés birmans ont élu domicile en Thaïlande. Plus de 100.000 d'entre eux travaillent dans les usines de Mae Sot. Lire la suite >>>

Indonésie: s'échapper de l'état Rakhine 23 November 2012 Cisarua, le 23 novembre 2012 – Le JRS a rencontré Noor à Cisarua à la fin du mois d'octobre 2012. Huit ans auparavant il avait fui sa ville natale de Buthidaung située dans l'état Rakhine en Birmanie. Membre de l'ethnie minoritaire Rohingya, Noor explique comment il a lutté et survécu dans la misère et la persécution, un récit qui donne froid dans le dos. Voici son histoire. Lire la suite >>>

Ouganda: Un combat qui dure 30 August 2012 Juba, le 27 août 2012 – Je m'appelle Ruben * et je suis un ancien réfugié vivant aujourd'hui à nouveau dans mon pays d'origine, le Sud Soudan. Je veux témoigner du soutien que m'a apporté le JRS pendant des années. Lire la suite >>>

Malawi: Le JRS que je pouvais voir et toucher 16 July 2012 Ohio, 16 juillet 2012 - Je me souviens de la vie dans le camp de Dzaleka au Malawi entre 1995 et 1997 comme d’une bénédiction, et comme l’une des situations les plus stressantes qu’il m’ait jamais été donnée de vivre. Cela a été une bénédiction parce que j'avais un endroit auquel j'appartenais officiellement. C'était ma maison. J'étais vivante, je savais où j’étais, nourrie, vêtue et je pouvais voir une infirmière ou un médecin si je tombais malade. Il n'y avait plus de bruit de tirs, de grenades ou de bombes. C'était calme; je pouvais enfin dormir. Lire la suite >>>

France: Welcome... 16 July 2012 Paris, 16 juillet 2012 – Il est là accroupi dans la cuisine en train de préparer ses pommes de terre, par terre, comme chez lui, au fin fond de la campagne afghane. «Soir madame ! Passé bonne journée ?» En fait, j'ai passé une mauvaise journée. Alors cet accueil me ragaillardit et j'apprécie l'humour du ciel qui m'envoie un clin d'œil du sol de ma cuisine. Lire la suite >>>

Syrie: Le Centre du JRS offre un nouveau départ aux Iraqiens 28 May 2012 Alep, le 28 mai 2012 – La blessure de sa fille Ghufran qui a reçu une balle dans la jambe et l'attaque de sa maison et de son commerce ont été la dernière goutte d'eau pour Bassam Abdullah. Six jours plus tard il prenait la fuite. En 2010, trois ans plus tard, sa femme et ses quatre enfants ont rencontré le Centre Deir Vartan, et cela a changé sa vie. Lire la suite >>>

République Démocratique du Congo: Fuir de nuit la violence domestique 03 May 2012 Goma, le 3 mai 2012 – Une histoire de violence domestique dans un camp pour personnes déplacées dans la partie orientale du Congo. Mama Jocelyne, la protagoniste, est une femme ordinaire, une parmi tant d'autres qui ont été forcées de subir des abus en plus du fait de vivre au milieu des conflits armés. Lire la suite >>>

Sud Soudan: Un modèle pour les élèves et pour les enseignants 04 May 2012 Nimule, le 4 mai 2012 – Esther est un modèle pour sa communauté. Elle enseigne le commerce et la comptabilité à l'école secondaire de Fulla, à Nimule, et elle est mère de trois enfants. Elle transpire le bonheur, la confiance et le professionnalisme. Ceci dit, son ancien statut de réfugié ne lui a pas facilité la tâche pour y arriver. Elle attribue sa réussite au soutien que le JRS lui a apporté pendant une douzaine d'années, de 2000 à 2011. Lire la suite >>>

Ethiopie: La récréation aplanit les difficultés inhérentes à la vie dans les camps 03 May 2012 Dollo Ado, le 3 mai 2012 – J'ai vécu ma première expérience auprès des réfugiés dans le camp de Mai-Aini au nord-ouest de l'Ethiopie. Je travaillais avec le Service Jésuite des Réfugiés comme Responsable des Sports et des Activités récréatives depuis un peu moins d'un an. Quatre-vingt pour cent des résidents du camp étaient de jeunes hommes Erythréens qui avaient fui leur pays pour des raisons politiques. Les défis existentiels que j'y ai rencontrés m'ont préparé au travail que je fais actuellement à Dollo Ado, Ethiopie. Lire la suite >>>

Philippines: Etre charpentier dans une communauté sortant des conflits et d'un désastre 16 April 2012 Bubong, 16 avril 2012 – Fortunato Anggot, âgé de 56 ans, exerce le métier de charpentier depuis son apprentissage avec son père à l'âge de 16 ans. Lire la suite >>>

Cambodge: Survivre aux mines et subir la guerre n'étaient en fait qu'un début 05 April 2012 Siem Reap, 5 avril 2012 – «Si vous commencez à écrire mon histoire, vous n'avez pas fini». Han étouffe un rire, révélant une bouche constellée de trous noirs. Ses dents sont jaunes et en mauvais état, mais ne vous y trompez pas, la vie n'a pas encore eu raison d'elle. Lire la suite >>>

Ruanda: L'éducation, une porte ouverte sur la vie pour les jeunes réfugiés 29 March 2012 Kibuye, le 29 mars 2012 – Grâce aux cours de cuisine et de boulangerie, la vie de Benjamin Twizere a pris un autre tour. Il fait partie des 65 étudiants réfugiés du Ruanda occidental qui ont pu, grâce au JRS, apprendre un métier. Une chance qu'il a saisie au vol. Lire la suite >>>

Burundi: L'histoire de Pascal témoigne de la dignité et de l'espérance en l'avenir 20 March 2012 Bujumbura, le 20 mars 2012 – A la fin de l'année 2012, le JRS mettra un terme à ses projets au Burundi. Les anciens réfugiés qui, depuis dix-sept ans, ont bénéficié des projets leur fournissant l'éducation et des moyens de gagner leur vie, sont désormais à même de mener une vie indépendante et digne, avec l'espoir d'un avenir meilleur. La famille de Pascal Ntirujimana fait partie de ces histoires qui témoignent d'une espérance et d'une prospérité relative. Lire la suite >>>

Ukraine : Une famille de réfugiés ne trouve pas la protection nécessaire 29 June 2011 Bruxelles 29 juin 2011 – Hakimi est une Afghane de 38 ans, mère de 4 enfants. Elle est venue en Ukraine fuyant la guerre et les dangers de l'Afghanistan, mais son voyage n'a pas été direct. Lire la suite >>>

Rwanda : une ancienne réfugiée raconte son histoire 27 September 2010 Je suis née en 1979 dans le district de Kayonza, en Kabare II, un secteur de la Province Orientale du Rwanda. En 1994, j'ai fui mon pays à cause de la guerre. Après m'être déplacée à Akagera, j'ai traversé la Tanzanie avec mes parents, un frère et deux sœurs. Nous avons laissé derrière nous deux de mes frères, un à Kigali et l'autre à Cyangugu. Tous les deux ont dû fuir au Congo mais heureusement en 1995 ils ont pu nous rejoindre dans le camp de réfugiés de Cyabarisa II. Lire la suite >>>

Ethiopie : Je suis venu les mains vides 20 June 2010 En 2005, j'ai fui la République Démocratique du Congo (RDC) avec ma femme et trois enfants à cause de la guerre civile. Il nous a fallu plusieurs semaines pour arriver à la frontière éthiopienne après avoir traversé l'Ouganda et le Kenya. Lire la suite >>>

Malte: l'instabilité entrave l'intégration 20 June 2010 Jean a un diplôme en communications et il a travaillé comme journaliste dans la République Démocratique du Congo (RDC). Ses activités de reportage sur les événements en RDC ont fait que sa vie a été menacée et finalement l'ont obligé à quitter le pays. Lire la suite >>>

Thaïlande : vivre dans la crainte de la détention et de la déportation 20 June 2010 Az Bhatti a fui le Pakistan suite à des persécutions religieuses en septembre 2008. Il est un des quelque 2.600 réfugiés urbains et demandeurs d'asile vivant à Bangkok, en Thaïlande. Az fait partie d'une minorité religieuse appelée les Ahmadiyya, qui sont considérés comme hérétiques par les musulmans orthodoxes au Pakistan. De nombreuses lois sont passées qui rendent délit pénal pour les Ahmadis de professer, pratiquer et prêcher leur foi : « Nous ne pouvons pas utiliser les versets musulmans .Nous ne pouvons même pas dire salaam alaikum » dit Az tristement. Lire la suite >>>

Afrique du Sud : la peur de l'inconnu 20 June 2010 Je m'appelle Tshela Mukendi et je suis une mère célibataire de six enfants, je viens de la République Démocratique du Congo. J'ai vu la mort, je l'ai sentie et je l'ai touchée. Lire la suite >>>

Venezuela : sans papiers officiels, reconstruire les vies des réfugiés est loin d'être facile 20 June 2010 « J'habitais à Cúcuta (Colombie) jusqu'à ce que j'aie été obligée de venir ici après avoir été menacée par des paramilitaires. J'avais un frère qui avait été démobilisé [des paramilitaires]. Il s'était retiré et ils le cherchaient. Pour eux, cela a été plus facile de me trouver moi parce que mon mari était occasionnellement musicien. Il jouait dans un village appelé La Floresta, et ils ont compris qu'il était mon mari. Lire la suite >>>

Bienvenido a voces
Parte del mandato del JRS es dar la voz a los refugiados. Esta sección está dedicada exclusivamente a esto. Aquí encontrarás historias de refugiados, de sus éxitos, de sus retos y de cómo luchan por reconstruir sus vidas.

Siria: mañanas familiares en Damasco 03 May 2013 Damasco, 3 de mayo de 2013 - ¡Qué hermosa es una reunión entre seres humanos, un encuentro donde mostrar nuestro amor y los sentimientos hacia los demás. Sentí algo parecido a esto al encontrarme con familias en la casa del JRS de San Alberto Hurtado en Bab Touma. Aunque nunca los había visto antes, sentí como si nos conociéramos de toda la vida. Leer más >>>

Jordania: la escuela, el lugar donde se construyen las comunidades 15 March 2013 Ammán, 15 de marzo de 2013 - La vida está llena de coincidencias. Así es como descubrí el Servicio Jesuita a Refugiados. En un viaje de estudios en Ammán tratando de entrevistar a refugiados para mi investigación, me dieron una lista de números de teléfono, uno de los cuales era el del JRS en Jordania. Leer más >>>

Turquía: lo que podemos hacer, lo hacemos 19 February 2013 Ankara, 19 de febrero de 2013 - El Servicio Jesuita a Refugiados en Ankara tiene una deuda de gratitud con los 20 voluntarios expatriados que de forma regular donan tiempo y productos al proyecto del JRS. En el último mes, el JRS recibió casi 200 mantas de marca nuevas, 30 chaquetas sin estrenar también de marca y 50 usadas. Y una petición de dos sillas de ruedas se respondió en apenas dos horas. Leer más >>>

Tailandia: las voces de las fábricas 17 January 2013 Mae Sot, 17 de enero de 2013 - Tailandia es el hogar de cientos de miles de trabajadores inmigrantes birmanos, más de 100.000 de los cuales trabajan en las fábricas de Mae Sot. Leer más >>>

Indonesia: huida del Estado Rakhine 23 November 2012 Cisarua, 23 de noviembre de 2012 - El JRS conoció a Noor en Cisarua a finales de octubre de 2012. Hace ocho años, huyó de su ciudad natal de Buthidaung, en el estado birmano de Rakhine. Perteneciente a la minoría étnica rohingya, Noor cuenta una desgarradora historia de lucha y supervivencia, de pobreza y persecución. Esta es su historia. Leer más >>>

Uganda: una larga lucha 30 August 2012 Juba, 27 de agosto de 2012 - Mi nombre es Reuben* y soy un ex refugiado, que ya vive en su país de origen: Sudán del Sur. Quiero compartir mi historia sobre la ayuda que me brindó el JRS durante estos años. Leer más >>>

Malawi: el JRS que pude ver y tocar 16 July 2012 Ohio, 16 de julio de 2012 - Recuerdo la vida en el campamento de Dzaleka, en Malawi, entre 1995 y 1997, como una bendición y como una de las situaciones más estresantes de mi vida. Bendición porque fue un lugar al que pertenecía legalmente. Era un hogar. Estaba viva, me tenían en cuenta, alimentada, vestida y podía ir a la enfermera o al doctor si enfermaba. No se oían disparos, granadas ni bombas. Estaba en calma; podía realmente dormir. Leer más >>>

Francia: Bienvenido... 16 July 2012 París, 16 de julio de 2012 – Allí está él, sentado en el suelo de la cocina pelando patatas, sintiéndose como en casa, como si estuviera de regreso a su campo afgano."¡Buenas tardes! ¡Qué tenga un buen día?" La verdad es que tenía un mal día y que su sonrisa de bienvenida me hizo sentir mejor; estoy contenta con ese rayo de luz en mi cocina. Leer más >>>

Siria: un centro del JRS ayuda a los iraquíes a comenzar de nuevo 28 May 2012 Alepo, 28 de mayo de 2012 - Después de que su hija, Ghufran, recibiera un disparo en la pierna y su hogar y su negocio fueran atacados, Bassam Abdullah ya no pudo más y seis días después huyó del país. En 2010, tres años después, su esposa y sus cuatro hijos llegaron al centro de Deir Vartan del JRS, un golpe de suerte que cambió su vida. Leer más >>>

República Democrática del Congo: huyendo de noche de la violencia doméstica 03 May 2012 Goma, 3 de mayo de 2012 – Una historia de violencia doméstica en un campamento para desplazados en el este del Congo. La protagonista, Mama Jocelyne, es una mujer corriente, una de tantas que, aparte de vivir en medio de un conflicto armado, debe soportar el abuso. Leer más >>>

Sudán del Sur: Un modelo para estudiantes y maestros 04 May 2012 Nimule, 4 May 2012 – Esther es un modelo para su comunidad: maestra de secundaria - imparte comercio y contabilidad en la Escuela de Secundaria de Fulla, Nimule - y madre de tres hijos, desborda felicidad, confianza y profesionalidad. Sin embargo, como ex refugiada, llegar a este punto no ha sido fácil. Ella atribuye su éxito al apoyo del JRS durante casi doce años, de 2000 a 2011. Leer más >>>

Etiopía: las actividades lúdicas suavizan las dificultades de la vida en el campamento 03 May 2012 Dollo Ado, 3 de mayo de 2012 – Mi primera experiencia con refugiados fue en el campamento de Mai-Aini en el noroeste de Etiopía. Allí trabajé con el Servicio Jesuita a Refugiados como responsable de Deportes y Actividades Lúdicas durante algo menos de un año. El ochenta por ciento de los residentes del campamento eran jóvenes varones eritreos la mayoría de los cuales habían huido del país por razones políticas. Los desafíos vitales con los que allí me encontré me prepararon para mi actual papel en Dollo Ado, Etiopía. Leer más >>>

Filipinas: una carpintería para después del conflicto y del desastre 16 April 2012 Bubong,16 de abril de 2012 – Fortunato Anggot, de 56 años, ha trabajado como carpintero desde que, a sus 16 años, empezó a viajar con su padre como aprendiz. Leer más >>>

Camboya: sobrevivir a las minas y a la guerra fue sólo el principio 05 April 2012 Siem Reap, 5 de abril de 2012 – "Si escribes mi historia, nunca terminarás". Han ríe, mostrando su boca llena de grietas oscuras y vacías, con sus dientes amarillentos y dañados. Pero no se deje engañar por su apariencia: ella sigue aferrada a la vida. Leer más >>>

Ruanda: educación, una nueva perspectiva para los jóvenes refugiados 29 March 2012 Kibuye, 29 marzo de 2012 – A Benjamin Twizere, la oportunidad de participar en el curso de cocina y panadería del JRS le ha dado un nuevo sentido a la vida. Era uno de los 65 estudiantes refugiados en el oeste de Ruanda a los que el JRS les brindó la posibilidad de aprender un oficio; y él se metió de lleno. Leer más >>>

Burundi: la historia de dignidad y esperanza en el futuro de Pascal 20 March 2012 Bujumbura, 20 marzo de 2012 – A finales de 2012, el JRS cerrará sus proyectos en Burundi. Después de 17 años ofreciendo educación y apoyando la creación de medios de subsistencia, los antiguos refugiados ayudados por la organización están ahora en condiciones de mantener una vida independiente y digna con la esperanza de un mejor futuro. La de la familia de Pascal Ntirujimana es una de esas historias de esperanza y de relativa prosperidad. Leer más >>>

Ucrania: una familia refugiada no encuentra protección 29 June 2011 Bruselas, 29 de junio de 2011 – Hakimi es una mujer afgana de 38 años y madre de cuatro hijos. Llegó a Ucrania huyendo de la guerra y de los peligros que la amenazaban en Afganistán, pero no fue un viaje directo: "Fui a Pakistán, luego pasé por Irán y Turkmenistán hasta llegar a Tayikistán," enumera. Leer más >>>

Ruanda: una antigua refugiada comparte su historia 27 September 2010 Nací en 1979 en el distrito de Kayonza, en Kabare II, un sector de la Provincia Oriental de Ruanda. En 1994 huí de mi país debido a la guerra. Tras trasladarme a Akagera, crucé a Tanzania con mis padres, un hermano y dos hermanas. Atrás dejamos a otros dos hermanos: uno en Kigali, el otro en Cyangugu. Ambos huyeron a Congo, pero felizmente, en 1995, pudieron reunirse con nosotros en el campamento de refugiados de Cyabarisa II. Leer más >>>

Etiopía: vine con las manos vacías 20 June 2010 En 2005, huí de la guerra civil en la República Democrática del Congo (RDC) con mi esposa y mis tres hijos. Nos llevó semanas llegar a la frontera etíope después de haber cruzado Uganda y Kenya. Cuando finalmente llegamos a la capital, Addis Abeba, nuestras ropas estaban hechas jirones y nosotros muy debilitados. Presentamos nuestros casos y solicitamos asilo. Leer más >>>

Malta: la inestabilidad dificulta la integración 20 June 2010 Jean tiene un título en Comunicación y ha trabajado como periodista en la República Democrática del Congo (RDC). Por sus actividades informativas sobre los acontecimientos en la RDC le amenazaron de muerte obligándole a huir del país. Leer más >>>

Tailandia: viviendo con el temor a la detención y la deportación 20 June 2010 Az Bhatti huyó de la persecución religiosa en Pakistán en septiembre de 2008. Él es uno de los 2.600 refugiados urbanos y solicitantes de asilo que viven en Bangkok, Tailandia. Az forma parte de un grupo religioso minoritario llamado los Ahmadiyya, considerados herejes por los musulmanes ortodoxos de Pakistán. Se han aprobado leyes que convierten en delito punible que los Ahmadis profesen, practiquen y oren de acuerdo a su fe. "No podemos usar versículos musulmanes. Ni siquiera podemos decir salaam alaikum," dice Az con tristeza. Leer más >>>

Sudáfrica: miedo a lo desconocido 20 June 2010 Mi nombre es Tshela Mukendi y soy una madre soltera con seis hijos de la República Democrática del Congo. He visto la muerte, la he olido y la he tocado Leer más >>>

Venezuela: sin documentación, rehacer la vida de los refugiados es cualquier cosa excepto fácil 20 June 2010 "Vivía en Cúcuta (Colombia) hasta que me vi obligada a venirme aquí tras ser amenazada por los paramilitares. Tenía un hermano desmovilizado (de los paramilitares); había desertado y lo estaban buscando. A ellos les era más fácil encontrarme a mí porque mi esposo era, en aquel tiempo, músico. Tocaba en una aldea llamada La Floresta, cuando se dieron cuenta de que era mi marido. Leer más >>>

Benvenuti alla sezione voci
Parte del mandato del JRS consiste nel dare ai rifugiati la possibilità di esprimersi. Questa sezione vuole dare voce ai rifugiati. Qui troverete le loro storie, i loro successi e le difficoltà che affrontano nel ricostruire la loro vita.

Siria: mattinate in famiglia a Damasco 03 May 2013 Damasco, 3 maggio 2013 – Che bello incontrarsi tra persone animate dal desiderio di mostrarsi reciprocamente l'amore e i sentimenti che proviamo. Mi torna alla mente ciò che ho provato nell'incontrare le famiglie presso la St Albert Hurtado House del JRS a Bab Touma. Non avevamo mai avuto contatti prima, ma mi sono sentita come se ci conoscessimo da lungo tempo. Segue >>>

Giordania: la scuola, un luogo in cui si costruiscono comunità 15 March 2013 Amman, 15 marzo 2013 – La vita è piena di coincidenze casuali. Ed è per una di queste coincidenze che ho scoperto il Servizio dei Gesuiti per i Rifugiati. Nel corso di un viaggio studio ad Amman intrapreso per realizzare interviste a persone rifugiate da utilizzare per la mia attività di ricerca, mi è stato fornito un elenco di numeri di telefono, tra cui quello del JRS Giordania. Segue >>>

Turchia: facciamo quello che possiamo 19 February 2013 Ankara, 19 febbraio 2013 — Il Servizio dei Gesuiti per i Rifugiati a Ankara ha un debito di gratitudine con 20 volontari stranieri che regolarmente dedicano il loro tempo e donano beni di necessità al progetto del JRS. Solo il mese scorso, il JRS ha ricevuto quasi 200 coperte nuove, 30 giacche nuove e 50 giacche usate. La richiesta di due sedie a rotelle è stata soddisfatta in appena due ore. Segue >>>

Thailandia: voci dalla fabbrica 17 January 2013 Mae Sot, 17 gennaio 2013 – La Thailandia ospita centinaia di migliaia di lavoratori immigrati birmani, di cui oltre 100.000 lavorano nelle fabbriche di Mae Sot. Segue >>>

Indonesia: in fuga dalla stato di Rakhine 23 November 2012 Cisarua, 23 novembre 2012 – Il JRS ha incontrato Noor a Cisarua alla fine di ottobre 2012. Otto anni fa è fuggito dalla sua città natale, Buthidaung, nello stato birmano di Rakhine. Noor, che appartiene alla minoranza etnica dei rohingya, racconta una storia straziante di lotta per la sopravvivenza in un contesto di povertà e persecuzione. Questa è la sua storia. Segue >>>

Uganda: una lunga lotta 30 August 2012 Juba, 27 agosto 2012 – Mi chiamo Reuben* e sono un ex rifugiato che ora vive nuovamente nel suo paese, il Sud Sudan. Desidero raccontare di come il JRS mi ha aiutato nel corso degli anni. Segue >>>

Malawi: il JRS che potevo vedere e toccare 16 July 2012 Ohio, 16 de luglio 2012 - Ricordo la vita nel campo di Dzaleka in Malawi dal 1995 al 1997 sia come una benedizione, sia come una delle situazioni più stressanti in cui mi sia mai trovata. Era una benedizione perché avevo un posto dove stare legalmente. Era casa. Ero viva, ci si occupava di me, ero nutrita, vestita e potevo vedere un'infermiera o un medico se mi ammalavo. Non c'erano più rumori di fucili, granate o bombe. Era tranquillo, potevo dormire veramente. Segue >>>

Francia: Welcome... 16 July 2012 Parigi, 16 luglio 2012 – È lì, accovacciato sul pavimento della cucina mentre pela patate e chiaramente si sente a casa, come se fosse tornato nella campagna afghana."Buon giorno! Hai avuto una bella giornata?", veramente ho avuto una brutta giornata e il suo sorriso accogliente mi fa sentire meglio, sono contenta del raggio di sole nella mia cucina. Segue >>>

Siria: centro del JRS offre agli iracheni la possibilità di ricominciare 28 May 2012 Aleppo, 28 maggio 2012 – Dopo il ferimento alla gamba della figlia Ghufran, e l'attacco sferrato contro la sua casa e la sua attività, Bassam Abdullah era giunto al limite della sopportazione, e sei giorni dopo è fuggito. Trascorsi tre anni, nel 2010, la moglie e i suoi quattro bambini hanno scoperto il Centro Deir Vartan del JRS: un colpo di fortuna che ha cambiato la sua vita. Segue >>>

Repubblica Democratica del Congo: scappare di notte dalla violenza domestica 03 May 2012 Goma, 3 maggio 2012 – Una storia di violenza domestica in un campo di sfollati interni (IDP) nel Congo orientale. La protagonista, Mama Jocelyne, è una donna come tante altre, costrette a sopportare abusi oltre a dover vivere in pieno conflitto armato. Segue >>>

Sud Sudan: un modello per studenti e insegnanti 04 May 2012 Nimule, 4 maggio 2012 – Esther è un modello per la sua comunità. Insegnante di commercio e contabilità presso la Fulla Secondary School di Nimule, e madre di tre bambini, emana felicità, sicurezza e professionalità. Eppure, da ex rifugiata, arrivare fin qui è stato tutt'altro che facile. Esther attribuisce il suo successo al sostegno avuto dal JRS per quasi dodici anni, dal 2000 al 2011. Segue >>>

Etiopia: la ricreazione rende più accettabili le difficoltà del vivere in un campo rifugiati 03 May 2012 Dollo Ado, 3 maggio 2012 – La mia prima esperienza con i rifugiati l'ho maturata nel campo di Mai-Ain, nell'Etiopia nordoccidentale. Ho lavorato per quasi un anno con il Servizio dei Gesuiti per i Rifugiati come Responsabile per le attività sportive e ricreative. L'ottanta percento dei residenti del campo erano giovani maschi eritrei perlopiù fuggiti dal proprio paese per motivi politici. Le sfide che mi si sono poste nel tentativo di affermare il valore della vita sono state in un certo modo propedeutiche al ruolo che svolgo attualmente. Segue >>>

Filippine: falegnameria in una comunità sopravvissuta al conflitto e al disastro 16 April 2012 Bubong, 16 aprile 2012 – Fortunato Anggot, oggi 56enne, è sempre stato un falegname: fin da quando a 16 anni, da apprendista, seguiva il padre nei suoi spostamenti. Segue >>>

Cambogia: sopravvivere alle mine e al conflitto è stato solo l'inizio 05 April 2012 Siem Reap, 5 aprile 2012 –"Se scrivi la mia storia, non riuscirai a finirla", ridacchia Han scoprendo una bocca sdentata. I denti rimasti sono ingialliti e rotti, ma non lasciatevi ingannare dalle apparenze, la vita non le ha ancora tolto le energie. Segue >>>

Ruanda: istruzione, un nuovo punto di vista sulla vita per i giovani rifugiati 29 March 2012 Kibuye, 29 marzo 2012 – Per Benjamin Twizere, l'opportunità di prendere parte al corso di cucina e panificazione del JRS ha ridato la speranza di una nuova vita. È uno dei 65 studenti rifugiati del Ruanda occidentale a cui i JRS ha offerto opportunità di imparare un mestiere; Benjamin l'ha afferrata con tutte e due le mani. Segue >>>

Burundi: la storia di Pascal, una storia di dignità e speranza nel futuro 20 March 2012 Bujumbura, 20 marzo 2012 – Alla fine del 2012, il JRS concluderà i suoi progetti in Burundi. Dopo 17 anni di servizi di istruzione e generazione di reddito, gli ex rifugiati assistiti dall'organizzazione sono ora nelle condizioni di condurre una vita indipendente e dignitosa, con la speranza di un futuro migliore. La famiglia di Pascal Ntirujimana è una di queste storie di speranza e relativa prosperità. Segue >>>

Ucraina: famiglia di rifugiati non trova protezione 29 June 2011 Bruxelles, 29 giugno 2011 – Hakimi viene dall'Afghanistan, ha 38 anni e quattro figli. È arrivata in Ucraina fuggendo dalla guerra e dai pericoli del suo Paese, ma il suo viaggio non è stato lineare. Segue >>>

Ruanda: una ex rifugiata racconta la sua storia 27 September 2010 Sono nata nel 1979 nel distretto di Kayonza a Kabare II, un settore della provincia orientale del Ruanda. Nel 1994 sono fuggita dal mio Paese a causa della guerra. Prima mi sono trasferita ad Akagera, poi mi sono spostata inTanzania con i miei genitori, un fratello e due sorelle. Abbiamo lasciato in Ruanda altri due fratelli: uno a Kigali, l'altro a Cyangugu. Entrambi sono dovuti fuggire in Congo, ma fortunamtamente nel 1995 sono riusciti a raggiungerci nel campo di Cyabarisa II. Segue >>>

Etiopia: sono arrivato a mani vuote 20 June 2010 Nel 2005, sono fuggito dalla Repubblica Democratica del Congo (RDC) con mia moglie e i miei tre bambini a causa della guerra civile. Abbiamo impiegato settimane per arrivare al confine etiope, dopo aver attraversato Uganda e Kenya. Quando finalmente abbiamo raggiunto la capitale, Addis Abeba, i nostri vestiti erano a brandelli ed eravamo debolissimi. Abbiamo raccontato la nostra storia e abbiamo chiesto asilo. Segue >>>

Malta: la precarietà ostacola l'integrazione 20 June 2010 Jean ha lasciato Kinshasa nel 2002, lasciando sua moglie e due bambini di 10 e 12 anni. Jean ha una laurea in Comunicazioni e ha lavorato come giornalista nella Repubblica Democratica del Congo (RDC). La sua attività di cronista sugli eventi nella RDC gli ha procurato minacce di morte e lo ha infine costretto a lasciare il Paese. Segue >>>

Tailandia. Vivere nel timore della detenzione e della deportazione 20 June 2010 Az Bhatti è fuggito dal Pakistan a causa della persecuzione religiosa del settembre 2008. E' uno dei circa 2.600 rifugiati urbani e richiedenti asilo che vivono a Bangkok, in Tailandia. Az appartiene a una minoranza chiamata Ahmadiyya, considerata eretica dai musulmani ortodossi del Pakistan. Segue >>>

Sudafrica: paura dell'ignoto 20 June 2010 Mi chiamo Tshela Mukendi e sono una madre single di sei bambini della Repubblica Democratica del Congo. Ho visto la morte; ne ho sentito l'odore e l'ho toccata. Segue >>>

Venezuela: senza documenti, ricostruire la vita dei rifugiati è tutt'altro che facile 20 June 2010 "Abitavo a Cúcuta (Colombia) finché sono stata costretta a trasferirmi qui dopo essere stata minacciata dai paramilitari. Avevo un fratello che era stato congedato (dai paramilitari); si era ritirato e lo stavano cercando. Per loro è stato più facile trovare me, perché mio marito all'epoca era un musicista. Stava suonando in un villaggio chiamato La Floresta, quando hanno capito che era mio marito. Segue >>>