Real Stories: How Work Transforms Refugee Lives

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Voices of Resilience

Na'amal

31 episodes

2 months ago

The number of people who have been forcibly displaced continues to increase alarmingly; as of mid 2022, the UNHCR has reported that for the first time on record, the number of forcibly displaced people worldwide has surpassed 100 million. This is a staggering figure in itself, but another tragedy of the enormity of this number is that it often overshadows the fact that every one of those 100+ million is a distinct individual who has had their life irrevocably altered and their inspiring story tends to be buried under the statistics. During the first edition of the Migration Summit in 2022, we hosted various storytelling sessions where we heard from displaced individuals, with the aim of humanising these statistics. Similar to these sessions, we are looking to amplify the voices of some incredible individuals who have overcome obstacles far beyond our imagination. The aim of this podcast is to share the journeys of six individuals striving for the dignified life they deserve. Given that education and employment are often a pivotal part of the road to a financially stable, dignified life, this podcast will share insight on their journeys, with a focus on their education paths and livelihoods. In this podcast, we hope to contribute to the shift in the narrative of refugees across the world and encourage stakeholders and listeners alike to take action. We do not want the label of refugee to define these individuals as powerless victims, instead, we intend to portray them as the determined individuals that they are with full agency to succeed in any way they desire, given the right resources. This podcast series will consist of seven episodes. It will be released in January, in the run-up to the Migration Summit 2023 which will explore the theme “Co-creating pathways to learning, livelihood, and dignity”.

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Documentary

Education,

Society & Culture

Real Stories: How Work Transforms Refugee Lives

Voices of Resilience

42 minutes

4 months ago

Real Stories: How Work Transforms Refugee Lives

Welcome to Voices of Resilience Season 3, brought to you by Na'amal, a non-profit and social enterprise dedicated to empowering forcibly displaced individuals through dignified remote work. In this episode, we delve into the exciting and sometimes challenging landscape of AI and Africa's digital future.

In this episode, we are joined by Seid and Maria, two individuals whose lives have been reshaped through meaningful work after displacement. Co-hosted by Clay Lowe and Amber, this conversation goes beyond headlines and statistics to center the lived realities of refugee communities, reminding us of the humanity, resilience, and ambition often left out of mainstream narratives.

About Our Guest:
Seid is a refugee and digital worker currently based in East Africa. Originally displaced from his home country due to conflict, Seid rebuilt his life through digital skills training and remote work. Today, he supports others on similar journeys.

Maria Vale is a forced migrant from Venezuela. Her story is one of reinvention, from surviving displacement to building a career that gives her independence, confidence, and a renewed sense of purpose.

Episode Highlights

A Journey of Transformation

Seid and Maria share their personal journeys, from displacement to finding meaningful work
How initial uncertainty gave way to discovery, learning, and new possibilities
Their first digital jobs and the role they played in rebuilding their lives

The Power of Dignified Work

Beyond income: how work restored confidence and redefined purpose
Shifting community perceptions: from being seen as a burden to becoming a role model
“Work made me feel human again.” Seid

Barriers and Enablers

Legal and technological hurdles to accessing online work
The power of mentorship, training, and community support
What needs to change in policies and systems to open up work for more refugees

Owning the Narrative

The importance of storytelling in shifting harmful stereotypes
Moments where their stories helped others see refugees differently
“When we speak for ourselves, we reclaim power.” Maria

Words of Hope

Advice to displaced youth who feel stuck
What keeps them hopeful in the face of ongoing challenges
Their vision for a future where refugees are seen not as victims, but as contributors and leaders

Discussion Topics

Refugee agency: Moving from charity to choice
Digital work: Creating borderless opportunities
Representation: The need for refugee voices in shaping policy and perception
Mental health and work: How purpose supports healing
Equity in access: Ensuring women and less connected communities are not left behind

Connect with Us:

Na'amal Website: namal.org
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Instagram: _naamal_