A beneficiary of the JRS socio-economic resilience program, Mr. Isaac (not real name), who is a representative of Nigerian refugees at the Cameroonian camp is quoted as saying, “Today we live happily in peace.”
JRS officials say that Mr. Isaac has been working at the camp since an escalation of violence linked to the Boko Haram insurgency hit Nigeria in 2013, leading to thousands fleeing the region for safety.
“Although the coexistence with the local community is currently great, it has been a progressive work, it is not easy to arrive in a foreign country with nothing,” says Mr. Isaac who was among the thousands that sought refuge in Cameroon.
He continues “The biggest challenge was to learn the local languages; at the beginning, we could not even communicate.”
After about a decade as a refugee in the West African nation, JRS officials say that Mr. Isaac alongside other refugees has been able to learn local languages and that the locals have been able to also learn some of the Nigerian languages.
Emmanuel, also a native of Nigeria, has gained baking skills through the Jesuit’s socio-economic resilience program and now runs a bakery that has given him an opportunity to provide bread for the whole community.
Through her cooking skills, Marie who is also a beneficiary of the program is running a small restaurant in Cameroon that is attracting a large number of clients on a daily basis. Through her business, she says, “I provide employment to other women; we are happy working together.”
“Language draws people close to each other. Living and working together enable Isaac, Emmanuel, and Marie to be in harmony with the local community,” JRS officials say in the June 26 report in which Mr. Isaac says, “That’s exactly what we were looking for when we left Nigeria: peace.”
Silas Mwale Isenjia is a Kenyan journalist with a great zeal and interest for Catholic Church related communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communication from Moi University in Kenya. Silas has vast experience in the Media production industry. He currently works as a Journalist for ACI Africa.
