After crossing the crocodile infested Limpopo River several years ago, Suzen Ndlovu* endures being mocked by fellow pupils at Nancefield in Musina, Limpopo, for her improper uniform and unusual accent, but is not deterred from acquiring the education that will enable her to become an engineer.
Suzen, 18, is one of several displaced children who have been helped by the United Nations, non-governmental organisations including Save the Child and churches. She is among several hundred Zimbabwean youths housed at the Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa run MGM Women's Shelter and the CWM Boys Shelter, and the Roman Catholic Church's shelter for homeless migrant women.
In 2009, she enrolled to further her studies at Musina Primary School through the assistance of a local refugee centre. One of Suzen's main challenges was mastering at least one local language to be admitted. She persevered and has since earned promotion to Musina High School, where she is in Grade 10.
Another young refugee, Elizabeth, 17, said she had suffered psychologically from being rejected and mocked. She is a Grade 8 pupil at Musina High School.
A success story in the lives of young Zimbabwean refugees is personified by Farai Chiwara, 20, who was among the jubilant matric pupils from Tlourwe High School in Lebowakgomo in January. He has been enrolled for a degree in medicine at Wits University in Johannesburg.
Refugee centre manager Anna Mudange, who oversees the MGM Women's Shelter and the CWM Boys Shelter, said Suzen, Elizabeth and Chiwara were among a few of several hundred refugee youths who were attending school in South Africa, despite the language and cultural barriers.
Source: Sowetan
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