Nahdi L. Keller (female Liberian refugee)
1st Year Banking & Finance
Methodist University College, Ghana

Time is a significant aspect of life. Everything about life is time. There came a time in my life and I guess in the lives of many others (refugees) that we were told to run. We ran in all directions for safety of our lives.

At those times, I wonder many days if I deserve to be thrown out of my country, out of my family. I felt that I’m innocent of whatever problem, and as such do not deserve the agony, pain and backwardness, I’m experiencing. But whatever the problem, or reason the warlords had to justify their actions, life was too costly to be taken away, homes were well built to be broken down, families were well established to be scattered around, and properties were well cherished to be destroyed.

With God on my side, I saw myself in another country to begin a new life that I never thought to live, as a school aged child who has not traveled a mile or two away from my family and home.

I managed to attend a refugee school in Danane, Ivory Coast and graduated with a diploma in secondary education in July 1997.

Since then all effort to make dream a reality proved fruitless, until September 2004 when DAFI heard my cry. I wonder at times what it would have been like if there weren’t caring people, or caring institution like DAFI which has clearly understood what it means to run into
exile and than sit doing nothing, but live daily in pains and sorrow; tears and frustration. I’m sincerely grateful that I can once again sit in classroom after seven (7) years. What a joy it gives me. What a power it gives me to overcome my past and hope for a bright future.
I want to encourage you my fellow refugee never to give up. I know it’s difficult but remember always that there is a power behind you that is greater than the problem or situation you are going through. You just keep the focus and the faith and hold on a little more; work a little harder your change will definitely come in the fullness of time – at due season.