How this research has changed me
“This research opened my eyes and transformed me—I am not the same person who started this journey.”
My name is Nduwimana Anitha. I am a 41-year-old refugee from Burundi, a mother of four, and currently living in Nakivale Refugee Settlement in Uganda, where I have spent the last ten years. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Educational Sciences with a concentration in English (Licence en Sciences de l’Éducation, Département d’Anglais). After six years of unemployment, I began volunteering as a French teacher in a private secondary school within the settlement.
At the beginning, the journey was not easy. I often felt confused, speechless, and sometimes isolated. However, standing in front of my students slowly reminded me of a dream I had carried for many years: to serve others and contribute to education in a humanitarian context. Teaching young people in the settlement helped me rediscover my purpose.
Through this project, I had the opportunity to conduct interviews and Focus Group Discussions with refugee teachers, national teachers, school directors, and other education authorities. Listening to their experiences opened my eyes. I realised that many refugee teachers are not aware of the pathways to access employment or the laws that affect their professional opportunities. I was also surprised to hear some teachers say that after many years of unemployment or very low salaries, they had started to accept their difficult situation as their destiny.
Being involved in this research was a transformative experience. It allowed me to interact with school leaders and strengthened my skills in research and teaching methodology. It also encouraged me to be more creative and innovative in my classroom.
Most importantly, this journey changed me. It gave me confidence not only in my professional life but also in my role as a woman and a mother. Today, I feel empowered and proud of the work I am doing with my learners. This research opened my eyes and transformed me—I am not the same person who started this journey.
This Think Piece is part of a series, featuring 18 refugee teachers from Chad, Uganda and Zambia. You can read the full publication here.
The contributors are peer researchers on a GERE study exploring refugee teacher inclusion, agency, and wellbeing. Read more about the study here.
Funding
This work is supported by the Global Partnership for Education Knowledge and Innovation Exchange, a joint endeavour with the International Development Research Centre, Canada. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of IDRC or its Board of Governors.
