In this blogpost, Zigashane Pascal shares his experience as an Outreach Volunteer for Refugees United (REFUNITE) in Kakuma.

1. How old are you and which country do you come from?

I am 23 years old and from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

2. How did you end up in Kakuma Refugee Camp and how many years have you lived there?

Renewed fighting forced my family and I to flee DRC three years ago. It’s difficult to forget the numerous nights spent on our journey to safety in Kenya. We arrived at Kakuma in February 2012 and I have lived there since then.

3. What inspired you to become a REFUNITE volunteer?

I’m lucky to have my family with me and it breaks my heart to hear stories of fellow refugees, such as Bany Kuony and his wife Nyaluak Riak, who lost their 7 children while fleeing the war-torn South Sudan.

When they heard about orphan brothers who were reconnected with their cousin in Australia through the REFUNITE platform after many years of separation, they were inspired because it helped them deal with the pain of their loss. This really encouraged me.

4. What does family mean to you?

When I think of family I think of care, peace, security, love, respect and harmony. Family is very important to me because these are people I can depend on and who make me succeed in the work that I do.

5. What are your favorite things to do with your family?

Helping out with house chores and sharing daily experiences during dinner.

6. What does your work entail?

Overall, my work involves increasing awareness about REFUNITE’s family reconnection service in Kakuma. I educate my fellow refugees on technology and help them search, connect and communicate through our mobile search tool. I also do follow-ups on those who have already registered to increase the chance of reconnecting families.

7. What is a typical day like?

I wake up at 5:50 a.m. and say a prayer before I start my morning chores. I leave for work at 7:15 a.m. My morning activities generally include registering refugees on REFUNITE and supporting those who have challenges with the search for their missing family members or friends. I break off for lunch at 1 p.m. and resume work at 3 p.m. to do follow-ups until 5pm.

8. What makes your work fulfilling?

The hope that comes from telling people that there is a chance they can find their missing loved ones if they register on REFUNITE. I also get to meet different people from different nationalities and learn something new from their cultures.

9. Are there any challenges you face as a volunteer?

Literacy levels at Kakuma are low and a number of people still find it difficult to understand the steps for conducting a search. Additional challenges include language barrier, which makes it difficult for me to reach out to people from other countries and the hot and dusty working environment.

10. What are your hobbies?

I love writing human-interest stories, watching soccer, listening to music, acting and going out with friends.

“Thank you REFUNITE for giving me the chance to be part of the mission to reconnect separated families offering hope to my fellow refugees in Kakuma.”