From Refugee Camp to Registered Nurse: Deko’s Journey

Deko doesn’t remember having room for dreams or goals as a child. In the Dadaab Refugee Camp in Kenya, survival and safety consumed everything. Her family had fled Somalia when she was very small to escape the war, and like over 400,000 others in the camp, survival took priority over aspirations.

“When you’re a refugee, you have no status,” Deko reflects. “You cannot travel, you really cannot leave. So, what kind of dreams can you have? And as a girl, my options were even more limited.”

Everything changed in high school when she learned about WUSC’s Student Refugee Program, one of the few pathways for young refugees to leave the camp and start anew. Deko threw herself into her studies, determined to qualify.

Taking the Leap

When Deko learned she had been accepted, she was ecstatic. Her parents, though initially hesitant about a young woman leaving home, understood the reality: there was no future for her in Dadaab, and they could not afford university fees. This was her chance.

Deko says, “People like us who are forced to leave our homes aren’t just looking for safety — we need the opportunity to change our lives through using our talents and hard work.”

Deko arrived at Toronto’s airport nervous and excited, having never spent time away from her family or culture. But when she was greeted by smiling WUSC Local Committee members at York University holding a sign with her name, she felt the warmth of their welcome. “They took care of me and welcomed me to a new life,” she remembers.

Remembering Acts of Kindness

That first year was difficult, but she was determined to succeed. Separated from everyone who knew and loved her, Deko relied a lot on the WUSC Local Committee. They called regularly to check on her wellbeing, asked if she was eating, and helped her navigate her coursework. They became her lifeline.

One small but meaningful moment stands out: when Deko got lost and did not know how to use Google Maps, a tool that was completely foreign to her at the time, a Local Committee member spotted her confusion and patiently taught her. This act of kindness left a lasting impression.

Now, years later, that same spirit of support drives her volunteer work with the Local Committee. She teaches newly arrived refugee students the practical skills that once seemed impossible to master, building their confidence along the way. “I want every refugee student who comes to Canada to know they are valued and welcomed,” she says.

Finding Her Calling

Deko’s path to nursing was not coincidental. Growing up in Dadaab, she witnessed the devastating consequences of inadequate medical care. Her mother had thirteen children, and she witnessed how women and children died from illnesses that are easily preventable in Canada. These experiences shaped her ambitions.

This year, Deko achieved what once seemed impossible: she graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing from York University and is now a registered nurse. The impact of her work became real when a senior patient she was caring for recently said, “Whenever I see you, I feel better.”

“It means so much to me that I can take care of people and make a difference in their lives,” Deko says. “That was such a good feeling — to know that what I’m doing matters.”

Ripple Effects

The impact of investing in Deko extends far beyond her individual success. As a healthcare professional serving her community, she mentors newly arrived refugee students on her campus, sharing the insights and resilience she has gained from her own journey. Her success offers hope to her siblings and friends back home, showing them what is possible.

However, her story also highlights a stark reality: for every student like Deko who receives this opportunity, many more are pursuing their education without knowing where it will lead them. Her siblings hope for a Student Refugee Program placement. Without such support, they may face the same limited choices she once did.

Deko has a heartfelt message for those who make her journey possible: “I wish you could see how empowering it is for people who have had to grow up in a refugee camp to be told, ‘you have potential, we believe in you!'”

WUSC’s work demonstrates that investing in one student creates waves of positive change. Today’s supported student becomes tomorrow’s mentor, healthcare provider, and ambassador for others facing similar circumstances. With your continued support, WUSC can reach more young people displaced by conflict and circumstance, helping them unlock their full potential through education and opportunity.