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Asylum Access Realizing Refugee Rights in Africa, Asia & Latin America |
Country: Lubumbashi, DRC
Languages: French, English, Swahili, Nyanja, Lingala
Activities in DRC: Primary School Teacher, Ecole Primaire N'doto
Activities in RSA: Teacher, Thomas Wildschuut Primary School (2004-2006); Planned Parenthood Association of
South Africa HIV/AIDS Training; Care-giver for St. John's Ambulance
SAFER Specialty: HIV/AIDS; Domestic Violence
Monica is an asylum seeker from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) who fled her country due to fear of persecution by the government. She states that her family was targeted and threatened by the Congolese government because her sister-in-law, whom she lived with, was Rwandan. Monica's husband was also threatened because he was mistakenly believed to be Rwandan. At the time that she fled the DRC, Rwandans were suffering specific persecution by the government and the situation was extremely dangerous.
Monica's journey to South Africa was treacherous ? going at first by truck to Zambia, and then later taking both trains and buses through southern Africa until she arrived in South Africa. She states that she travelled for weeks and faced uncertain and perilous conditions throughout.
Monica arrived in South Africa in 2002 and received her Section 22 permit following her initial interview. However, following her second Refugee Status Determination interview, her claim was rejected as unfounded. In 2006, Monica filed an appeal and her case was heard by a judge at that time. Currently, she is awaiting the results of her appeal, which will be the final decision on her fate as an asylum seeker within South Africa. Monica states that the lengthy process has left her frustrated and weary, and she waits anxiously for the outcome of her appeal.
In South Africa, Monica worked as a teacher of French as well as a 5th grade teacher's assistant until this past year, when funding was decreased. Currently, Monica is working part-time as a refugee trainer for the Agency for Refugee Education, Skills Training & Advocacy (ARESTA), a Cape Town-based NGO.