From Burundi to Canada

Born in Burundi, Aline Niyokwizera was forced to flee her home at the age of 13 due to the civil war in 1993. She and her family found refuge at the Mtabila Camp in Tanzania. This camp would later be closed, forcing refugees to return to a country plagued by instability and humanitarian crisis. 

Aline and her husband, Nestor Niyonkuru, were married in the camp in 1998, and there they had four children. The young couple longed for a home to raise their growing family and so voluntarily repatriate to Burundi, hoping to return to Nestor’s family farm. 

Unfortunately, they found the farm was under the control of distant relatives who were not only hostile to Aline and her family, but who eventually killed her husband and threatened her and her children. Aline and her children were forced to flee once again. 

Three months after her husband’s death, Aline and her children began travelling on foot to find refuge in Tanzania. After a long journey, including staying several months with another widowed woman, Aline and her family arrived at the Nyarugusu Refugee Camp. Here she and her family are entirely dependant on UNHCR for all their needs as it is too dangerous for them to leave the camp to find work or go to school.

Providentially, Aline was able to connect with Nestor’s sister, Leocadie Sinigirira. Leocadie had, under similar circumstances immigrated to Canada in 2006 and is currently living in Coquitlam, British Colombia with her adult children. Since this time, Leocadie has worked tirelessly to bring Aline and her six children to Canada. Our hope is that they will be allowed to immigrate soon, ready to settle in a new and welcoming home.