Zimbabwean students living in poverty and misery in Algeria

Hundreds of Zimbabwean students studying at different universities in Algeria on bilateral scholarships are allegedly living in abject poverty and misery because of the late arrival of their annual stipends.

A student told Nehanda Radio that they are: "struggling to survive here in Algeria as the neglect and indifference to our plight by the Zimbabwean government has left us in total isolation."

"The 2012/2013 academic year in Algeria ended in August of 2013 and out of the yearly $3000 we received $650 which is only a fifth of that amount. We are three months into the 2013/2014 academic year for which we also need money."

The student said they have been reduced to beggars in a foreign land and they are also the only foreign students who are not receiving their money while students from poorer African countries "always receive their pocket stipends consistently."

"We have begged so much from other foreign students that they now refuse to help us since our outstanding debts go back to as early as late 2012.

"We have become their burden for over a year now. Even the $650 I mentioned earlier was only given to us late in June of this year after a suffering of 9 straight months without a penny.

"Our standard of living is nothing short of deplorable because we cannot buy food, clothing, basic medication or stationary. We are also out of touch with our families back home since we can't afford even the cheapest means of communication."

Last year in October the government hosted a farewell ceremony for 53 students who were leaving to study various science degree programmes in Algeria. Of the 53 students who were given scholarships, 17 are female, while 36 are male.

"Algeria has the highest number of Zimbabweans on bilateral scholarships compared to other friendly countries," the Acting Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Ignatius Chombo said at the time.

"We take pride in the knowledge that our students will benefit from the Algerian education system, especially in the critical scientific researches and academic excellence. This gives Zimbabweans a chance to come back home to take their rightful place in the growth and expansion of our economy," he said.

But the student we spoke to said: "The government has clearly failed us yet to our bemusement they keep sending more and more students each year. Our situation is sending out a terrible image of our country to Algeria and to the whole of Africa.

"This is so appalling and unfortunate and I implore government to alleviate our suffering by attending urgently to our need. It has to stop. No student in a foreign country should ever have to live like this, away from home, in immense need. God forbid."