Building Futures Beyond Displacement in the eyes of John and Yafiet – UNICORE 8.0
From Uganda’s refugee settlements to university campuses in Italy, John Kato and Yafiet Debesai Beraki share what it means to receive a scholarship, leave home and take a step towards the future they have imagined.
“Some emails change your day. Others change your life.” For John Kato and Yafiet Debesai Beraki, one email brought news they didn’t imagine: a scholarship to pursue postgraduate studies in Italy.
“I was shocked and excited. At first, I could hardly believe it was true,” says Yafiet Debesai Beraki, recalling the moment he learnt he had been selected for the UNICORE 8.0 scholarship to go to Italy for his master’s degree.
His family could hardly believe it either. They thought he was joking until he showed them the official email. When they realized he had really been awarded the scholarship, the news brought tears of joy.
For Yafiet, an Eritrean refugee, the opportunity meant more than travelling to Italy.
It brought him closer to his ambition of becoming an agricultural engineer and learning new ways to improve agriculture in his community.
John Kato, a Congolese refugee from Kyangwali Refugee Settlement in Uganda, received news that carried a different but equally personal meaning.
As the first among his six siblings to pursue Higher Education abroad, his selection was a moment of pride for his family, and a reminder of what education could make possible.
“My selection has given my family hope that, despite the difficulties we face, we can still achieve our dreams through education and determination,” John says.
The two students are part of the candidates supported by Finn Church Aid (FCA) Uganda and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) to take up opportunities through the University Corridors for Refugees (UNICORE 8.0) programme.
Yafiet will study a master’s degree in Agricultural Science and Technology at the University of Foggia. John will pursue a master’s degree in Finance and Risk Management at the University of Florence.
What they hope to achieve
Yafiet wants to return from his studies with knowledge he can put to practical use.
“I hope to learn new and innovative approaches to agriculture that I can use to make a positive difference in my community,” Yafiet says.
His goal is to become an agricultural engineer, equipped with the skills to contribute to better agricultural practices and support the communities that need them.
Getting to this point also required him to seek guidance.
A friend who had benefited from an earlier round of UNICORE explained the application process and helped him prepare for the interview.
This is usually encouraged by FCA Uganda through the Alumni Peer to Peer Support initiatives
Having someone who understood the process gave Yafiet a source of guidance as he worked towards the opportunity.
John’s academic interests are in finance. After completing a Bachelor’s degree in Finance and Banking at Bugema University, he wanted to deepen his knowledge through postgraduate study.
At the University of Florence, he hopes to develop his skills in Finance and Risk Management, build a professional career and eventually pursue a PhD.
He also wants his achievements to encourage his siblings and other young refugees to consider Higher Education.
For John, the scholarship is not only about what he can achieve for himself. It is also about what his family can begin to imagine for the future.
Getting ready to leave
Being awarded a scholarship is one step.
Preparing to study in another country brings another set of challenges, from legalising documents and arranging travel to completing visa procedures and preparing for life in a new country.
FCA Uganda and UNHCR supported John and Yafiet through parts of the process, including document legalisation and pre-departure preparations.
Yafiet remembers the assistance he received as he prepared to travel.
“I am deeply grateful to FCA and UNHCR for the support they provided throughout my journey,” he says.
FCA’s support continued until his departure. The team helped with his travel arrangements, took him to the airport and followed up to ensure he completed check-in successfully.
John also had people supporting him along the way.
He credits his family and friends, lecturers at Bugema University, mentors and teammates at Blue Bird Soccer Academy for encouraging him as he worked towards his goals.
How UNICORE creates opportunities
The University Corridors for Refugees (UNICORE) programme supports refugees living in participating African countries access Masters Degrees at universities in Italy.
Through a network of universities in Italy and collaboration with UNHCR Italy and other partners, the programme offers eligible refugee students a route to apply for further study and travel to Italy.
Scholarship arrangements have included support for university application and tuition fees, books, language training, accommodation, a monthly stipend, transportation, health insurance, mentoring or psychosocial support, travel costs and visa fees. The support available may vary by arrangement.
FCA Uganda helps students navigate the process through activities. FCA Uganda shares information about the programme, Career Guidance and Counselling, scholarship application support, assistance with travel documentation and visa applications, plus pre-departure cultural orientation and airport dropoffs.
For students facing financial, administrative or travel barriers, this support can help them take up educational opportunities that might otherwise have been difficult or impossible to access.
A message to other refugee students
Yafiet wants other students to give themselves a chance, even when they are unsure what the outcome will be.
“Give it a try. You never know what is possible until you take the first step,” he says.
John’s message is similarly focused on continuing to seek opportunities, learning from setbacks and not allowing difficult circumstances to determine what is possible.
Both students are beginning a new chapter, carrying the encouragement of their families, friends, lecturers and mentors, alongside the support they received from FCA, IRC and UNHCR.
Their paths are different. One hopes to utilise Agricultural science to improve farming practices; the other wants to build a career in Finance and continue his academic studies to the PHD level.
What connects them is the opportunity to take their education further and the ambition to use what they learn to inspire and pay it forward to others.
For refugee students who are wondering whether studying abroad is within reach, John and Yafiet offer a personal example of what can happen when an opportunity meets preparation, support and the courage to apply.
For more information about the UNICORE Program, visit; https://universitycorridors.unhcr.it/
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Text & Images: Linda Kabuzire & Souzi Osman / FCA