In their own words – Interview with Karangwa Theogene

Next week Trent University students will be voting on a proposed levy increase for the Student Refugee Program. If there are sufficient votes, the local committee will be able to sponsor two refugee students at Trent in future years. Here, in his own words, are the thoughts of a current SRP student on the program and the levy campaign.

When Karangwa Theogene found out he had been selected for the Student Refugee Program, he was excited, but also nervous. Living in the Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya, he had graduated from high school nearly a decade earlier, and was unsure about attending university in Canada.

“I didn’t have much confidence,” he said. After spending a year working in Lindsay, Karangwa enrolled in the accounting program at Fleming College in Peterborough. After completing his studies at Fleming last year, Karangwa transferred to Trent University to complete his undergraduate degree in Business. Karangwa was kind enough to discuss his experience in Canada and his thoughts about Trent sponsoring two refugee students in the future.

Q: What do you think of your experience at Trent so far?
K: It has been very positive overall. I’ve made quite a few friends, it’s a small university and the classes are different from Fleming but I can manage it.

Q: On the social side of things, how did you find it when you first started at Fleming?
K: There is no WUSC committee at Fleming, but I’m an easygoing guy so I didn’t have a hard time meeting people. Everything was new to me, so I had to ask about everything but people were very friendly, very helpful. I was able to get a job at the college in my second semester, so that was very good too.

Q: Now that you are at Trent, are you close to the other sponsored students?
K: They were the first people I was able to connect with when I came to Trent. We speak the same language so we know each other and spend time together.

Q: What would it mean to you if Trent was able to sponsor two students every year?
K: To me, that would be great. I remember that before I was sponsored, I had no hope for my life. After high school in Kakuma, there is nothing else you can do. Having someone saying that you have a chance… that is incredible, amazing. For me it was like being born again. (Future students) would have somewhere they could start to call home, no longer have fear of deportation, jail or harm. You’re free, and for me that was restoring my dignity as a human being.

Q: Do you feel like you are at home now in Canada?
K: In September it will be five years that I am living in Canada. I am more comfortable now, with food, now I can eat anything and I know what I like. The winter was also a big problem for me at first. Now it is fine. I’m feeling maybe I am becoming Canadian.

Q: What goals do you have for the future?
K: When I am done at Trent I will go on to do my CA (Chartered Accountant certification). I must. Then, wherever I get a job in Canada, anywhere, that will be my home… I have two brothers still at Kakuma, I am hoping to sponsor them to come to Canada one day, but it is very, very hard.

Look for more interviews with refugee students in the days to come, and don’t forget: VOTE YES in the referendum next week!

Vote YES for WUSC, support the SRP levy increase

The World University Services of Canada (WUSC) at Trent University is a non-profit student group whose primary responsibility is the Student Refugee Program. This program offers refugees the opportunity to resettle, and at the same time resume their post-secondary education within Canadian institutions. It is the fastest mechanism to sponsor a refugee in Canada and so far the program has received more than 1,000 refugee students in universities all around the country. September of 2010 is the 30th anniversary of the SRP at Trent University, with currently around 3 students sponsored by Trent University students. All money from the levy goes toward supporting the first year expenses of the sponsored student.

Next year, WUSC at Trent University aims to sponsor two students instead of just one. The levy increase is one step to securing the funds that will allow us to support a second student. WUSC at Trent University would like to acknowledge and thank the ongoing support that the student body has given to the SRP through the levy, which has helped us bring amazing individuals to Trent University. This time we want to ensure that more amazing individuals get the chance to continue their education and fulfill their potential at OUR university.

We, therefore, need your support! If you are a Trent University student, please come next week and vote YES for WUSC in the TCSA Elections. Everyone has the right to education. Education changes the world!

YES Campaign and next General Meeting, 08-Mar-2010

First of all, the co-chairs and executive members of WUSC at Trent University wish to extend thanks to those persons who made an effort to attend the SRP Potluck Dinner last week Thursday. The event was very successful and everyone enjoyed sharing in the delicious food.

WUSC at Trent University is now getting ready to campaign for increasing the levy during this month’s TCSA elections. You can read more about what the Local Committee does with the funds by reading this post, which was published earlier in January. As a result, there will be a general meeting for all existing and new members tomorrow, Monday March 8th, at 5:00pm in LEC room 208. We are sorry for the short notice, but a lot of important things have to be discussed so we can get an early start on the campaign. Again, we need everybody’s participation even if you are new to WUSC.

The agenda for tomorrow’s meeting includes the following:

1. Quick introduction and overview of the SRP,
2. Quick review of the elections, guidelines and rules,
3. Formation of the YES Committee (to be explained),
4. Overview of tasks for the campaign,
5. Task distribution,

If you cannot attend the meeting, but are still interested in helping out, please inform the co-chairs. Meeting minutes will be passed on for reading in your own time.

Student Refugee Programme Potluck Dinner

On Thursday, March 4th, the SRP Committee within WUSC at Trent University will be hosting a potluck dinner at the Champlain College Senior Common Room. The event begins at 5:30pm and ends at 7:30pm. You are hereby invited to take part in this wonderful opportunity and learn about the SRP‘s plans at Trent University. Following a short presentation there will be a discussion about what WUSC intends to do with the levy funds should there be a good response from the student body during the March 2010 elections.

If you plan on attending the dinner we ask that you bring a small dish to contribute to the potluck. This is an open event so anyone can attend and can invite others to join. Confirm your attendance through our Facebook page for the event.

Refugee Stories at World Affair Colloquium, Friday 26-Feb-2010

On Friday, February 26th, the World Affairs Colloquium will be hosting a talk about Refugee Stories and WUSC‘s Student Refugee Programme. Among the speakers are McAnthony Keah, author of “Growing Up Naked”, who will be sharing the stories that inspired his book, and Michelle Manks, the current Programme Officer for the SRP in WUSC Ottawa. Come join us in discussion at the LEC Pit (3:00pm on Friday) as we take this opportunity to learn more about the issues being faced by refugees.

Those Trent University students who supported us in January’s Levy Petition are especially invited to attend this talk. Invite your friends! The occasion promises to be quite informative and engaging.