Abu Dhabi: Theo Patrick Ntawiheba, 21, from Rwanda knows the horrors of growing up in a refugee camp after he lost his parents and siblings in the genocide as an infant.
Which is why this New York University (NYU) student in Abu Dhabi is establishing a charity called NURU to pluck at least ten bright students out of the Kakuma Refugee camp in northern Kenya.
The economics major student who joined NYU last year told XPRESS he may be studying in one of the most prestigious colleges in the world, but he cannot remain oblivious to the harsh realities other refugee children have to endure.
“I used to think I was just lucky to be able to get out of the refugee camp and pursue my studies. But I know luck cannot bring you this far. I am blessed to be here,” said Ntawiheba.
After topping primary school exams from a makeshift school in the camp in 2006, Ntawiheba won a full scholarship at Brook House International School in Nairobi. At the end of high school, he was accepted at NYU Abu Dhabi, again on a scholarship.
Ntawiheba says hanging out with rich kids as a teenager in Kenya and now in Abu Dhabi has helped him see life in two extremes – the abysmal poverty of refugee camps and the privileges of life on a school campus.
“Every year approximately 150 students from the camp take the Kenya certificate for primary school education examination. There are hundreds of bright refugee students who are unable to pursue education beyond primary level. They end up doing hard labour or get recruited by militias,” said Ntawiheba.
His charity, NURU (|light in Swahili), aims to help refugee students gain access to quality secondary schools in Kenya.
“It costs approximately $5,200 (Dh19,099) to sponsor a child for a year in public secondary schools, and $15,600 for a year in private schools. We are looking at individuals and corporates in the UAE and outside to contribute,” said Ntawiheba.
The project, which is supported by NYU Abu Dhabi, also aims to build a community centre in the refugee camp where women can learn basic IT and entrepreneurial skills that can fetch them jobs.
Khader Abdi, executive director of Somali Social and Culture Centre in Abu Dhabi, who is also supporting Ntawiheba, said NURU will help refugee kids lead a dignified life.
If you want to contribute to NURU write to editor@xpress4me.com
