This is a letter from Ruddy, a UWC Waterford Kamhlaba alumnus (2009-2012), who shared his experience as a refugee who fled from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) when a civil war erupted in the late nineties and fought for a better future, starting with education.

“My name is Ruddy Ndina and all my life I’ve been called a refugee, not by choice, but rather as a victim of circumstance. My family fled the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) when a civil war erupted in 1996, sparked by a rebellion to oust a ruthless dictator, Mobutu Sese Seko. As a result of this violent clash between Congolese liberation forces and Mobutu’s army, my family was forced to flee and leave all our belongings behind. In this dark period, the DRC became the epicenter of economic, social and political turmoil. We literally lost everything and found ourselves searching for a better life in other neighbouring countries.

We lived in the Mpaka Refugee Camp in Swaziland for over 7 years and endured the buffet of harsh living conditions that seemed to be the reality for everyone there. For most people, this was the end - there seemed to be no hope for a better future. However, my parents, educated in the DRC, possessed an almost impossible dream for their children. They envisioned a brighter future fuelled by quality education and professional development. As a result, they trained my 4 siblings and I, instilling a profound appreciation for hard work, leadership and community involvement.

As a child, my primary motivation was to excel academically, become successful and reward my parents for their relentless hard work and sacrifice. All I wanted was to help realize their dreams and positively transform my family’s economic and social reality. My hard work seemed to pay off as I emerged the top student in the 2008 National High School Examinations. Shortly afterwards, I received a full bursary to continue my studies at Waterford Kamhlaba United World College of Southern Africa (UWCSA), where I completed my IGCSE and received my IB Diploma.

My time at Waterford was very transformative as it provided the platform to develop my academic and leadership skills whilst also contributing to the development of my community. I served in various leadership roles; however, the most meaningful experience for me was participating in the Mpaka Refugee Camp Community Service Project. This project was very close to my heart, especially because I once lived in that refugee camp and I could directly relate to some of their pains and struggles. The kids at the camp generally viewed me as a “big brother” and I was excited to inspire a deeper sense of appreciation for academics and leadership development.

Some of these kids were very bright, all they lacked were the resources to help them overcome the challenges they faced on a daily basis. I was impressed and humbled by Waterford’s commitment to Mpaka Refugee Camp. The school genuinely sought to make a difference and for me, this was the essence of what it meant to be a part of the UWC Movement; using education as a force to unite people from different cultures, nations and backgrounds for peace and a sustainable future.

After receiving my IB Diploma at Waterford, I was fortunate enough to obtain the prestigious Donald Wehrung International Scholarship Award (DWISA) to study Civil Engineering at the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Canada. As part of this International Scholars Community, I’ve had the privilege to collaborate with other intelligent scholars and student leaders on various innovative projects. So far, I’ve served in multiple leadership positions including president of the Africa Awareness Initiative (AAI), infrastructure and technology chair of Western Canada’s inaugural African Business Forum (ABF), and president of Tanzania Heart Babies Project (THBP), a student-led initiative that raises funds to support cardiac surgeries for children born with a congenital heart defect.

In recognition of my illustrious involvement on the UBC Vancouver campus, I was humbled to receive the prestigious 2016 “Faces of Today Award” at Canada’s largest annual Student Leadership Conference (SLC). This was an incredible moment for me, not because I received this award, but rather because of what it meant for a refugee student like myself to be at that position. For many people, a refugee is synonymous with fear, pity and hopelessness. Though our lives have once been stained by tragedy, I do not want to be called a refugee forever. The only way to extinguish the pandemic refugee crisis is by caring, showing love, and if possible, being generous enough to elevate refugees from a position of despair to one of potential.

My story is about empowerment and the trickling effect of UWC generosity in helping refugee students overcome their challenges and pursue a better life, just like every other “normal” person. Poor leadership has created millions of refugees globally; however, effective investment in education is the kind of leadership required to un-plague the world from this refugee crisis.”