Asylum Access

A Refugee's Testimony: "Francine"

Country of Origin: Kigali, Rwanda
Languages: English, French, Kinyarwanda, Swahili
Activities in Rwanda: Nursing, Essa Ruhengeri School (not finished)
Activities in RSA: Bachelor of Psychology, University of the Western Cape; Social Transformation Research and Development Scholarship; Specialty: South African Wine Industry
SAFER Specialty: Conflict Resolution, Gender

Francine is a 22-year-old young woman from Rwanda who left her country after her father was jailed for his work as a journalist during the genocide. Following her father?s imprisonment, her family faced constant threats by the government ? her mother was arrested and Francine was not permitted to attend the government school. Fearing for her family?s safety, Francine?s mother sent her and her brother to school in Uganda, and it was from there that she later left to come to South Africa.

After she arrived in South Africa, Francine joined her mother who had been granted refugee status earlier. As her dependent, Francine was also granted refugee status. Currently, she is studying for her B.A. in psychology at the University of Western Cape, and she recently received a one-year tuition scholarship to financially assist her with her studies.