Higher education allows refugees to take control of their lives and create a brighter future for themselves and their communities.
With the support of our generous donors, UNHCR has made real progress in providing refugees with higher education opportunities. Just a few years ago, only one percent of refugees had access to tertiary education. Recently, we’ve managed to increase that to seven percent.
Here, three refugees share how higher education has transformed their lives.
Leah pursues her dream of helping children
Leah is studying Nursing and Midwifery in Malawi.
Leah’s parents fled the Rwandan genocide before she was born. Leah spent her early years in a refugee camp in Malawi, where she was treated for malnutrition. She remains grateful to the medical professionals who helped her.
“The nurses and doctors who took care of me are the reason I am alive today. I told myself that other children would also survive with my help.”
Despite ranking number one in her school, Leah struggled to turn her dream into a reality.
“I remained home for two years with no opportunity or possibility to continue my education. I was worried and confused,” says Leah.
Leah’s life changed when she was offered an Aiming Higher scholarship to study Nursing and Midwifery.
“I was so relieved and thankful when I got accepted into the scholarship program. I was excited to start a new life at university. My door to success had finally opened.”
Leah aims to help others with her degree and inspire them to pursue their dreams with hard work and perseverance.
