Reviews the ease with which African refugee youth are able to access educational resources, how effectively humanitarian aid organizations and host communities respond with support, and how well refugee youth are able to utilize newly acquired knowledge and skills in relation to their community. Despite tremendous challenges, African youth demonstrate courage, strength, and efficacy as they bring to their host or home countries new knowledge and skills gleaned from support through service organizations such as the Participatory Action for Return and Reintegration Assistance (PARARA) program, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and CHF International. Even in the hostile and violent environment of the Darfur region, young displaced refugees are acquiring new knowledge, improved self-sufficiency, independence, and leadership knowledge. The Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services (LIRS) distributed $75,000 in grants to organizations developing programs and services forasylum seekers and refugees, such as English classes and skills and activities training designed to foster success in a newly emerging culture. Recent studies of Ethiopia and Sudan showed great need for educated and skilled men and women. An influx of refugees who gained higher education degrees through programs implemented by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) are returning to Sudan providing skills and knowledge necessary to insure the country’s future, and to rebuild the infrastructure. Despite great chaos and violence, hope and healing are offered to refugees all over Africa by effective, efficient, caring people and organizations. (IP)
