Featured: Facing our Future

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From: Patrick
Facing Our FutureFacing Our Future is a series of five profiles of refugee and displaced youth. In their own words, these young people talk about their hopes, dreams, doubts and fears. They have aspirations much like young people the world over, yet they face very different challenges. Each day they wonder, “Can I finish my education?”, “Can I make ends meet?”, “Will I ever lose the feeling of being “different”, “When will I see my home again?” and “Will I ever have a normal life?” Staying Alive: Remalias is a survivor. The19-year-old escaped forced recruitment in Angola and home is now a refugee camp in Namibia. His parents disappeared in the war and he lives alone with his grand mother. Wise beyond his years, Remalias tries to teach other young people about the reality of AIDS in the refugee camp and the value of education. (4:00) Where We Live: 18-year-old Konul lives in a railcar in Azerbaijan. Since she and her family were forced to flee more than ten years ago- this is their “house”. Isolated, and frustrated by the limitations of living on the railroad tracks, Konul has set her sights on going to university. At the same time, she is trying to come to grips with the fact that her family may never go home. (4:20) Feeling Different Sethayseelan is 15 years old. He was displaced by the war in Sri Lanka in 1996 and has since lived with his family in a ten foot space in a welfare center. Sethayseelan has vivid memories of the house and life he left behind. He can’t escape the feeling of being different, especially when he visits the homes of his local friends who have all the pleasures he no longer enjoys (4:00) Life Decisions: Zinnah is a 22-Year-old refugee from Liberia. Her parents are dead, and she is the sole support for her younger sister. To earn money for their schooling and food Zinnah bakes and sells bread. Each day she struggles to make ends meet. Soon Zinnah must decide whether to quit school in order to work and make enough money for she and her sister to survive. (4:05) On My Way Home: For the past ten years, 18 year old Jelena and her family have lived as refugees in Montenegro. For the first time since she fled from Bosnia, she is going home. Jelena knows her house is in ruins- destroyed during the war in ex- Yugoslavia. Yet she wants to return. Jelena dreams of an independent life far away from label “refugee” and of a new home overlooking the vineyards of her childhood memories. (3:45) Ahmed Momoh The Public Information Team UNHCR London 21st Floor, Millbank Tower 21-24 Millbank London SW1P 4QP Tel: +44 207 828 9191 Fax: +44 207 630 8523
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