Zimbabwean refugee family resettled in the US

A family that spent the last 20 years in Tongogara Refugee Camp in Zimbabwe has finally been resettled in the United States, marking a new chapter in their lives, according to The New England Media.

The family of eight, originally from Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), fled political persecution and conflict in their home countries before coming to Zimbabwe, where all their children were born and raised.

They recently arrived in Springfield, Massachusetts, where the Jewish Family Service (JFS) of Western Massachusetts, one of the agencies assisting refugees, welcomed them with a community potluck to celebrate their arrival and help them settle into their new home.

Speaking in Swahili, the father expressed a mix of joy and concern, saying the move brought "happiness" after decades of uncertainty, but he also worried about those still remaining in the camp.

"There is no life in the camp. You don't work, you just wait for aid organisations to bring food and medicines, and often it is not enough. Having a small garden gave me some independence, but it was never enough to sustain a family," he said.

The resettlement comes after a turbulent period for U.S. refugee admissions, which were heavily curtailed under former President Donald Trump. Legal challenges eventually allowed a limited number of families, including this one, to travel.

U.S. officials said the family entered with federal support covering rent and basic needs, while JFS is providing assistance with English classes, school enrolment for the children, and job placement for the parents. The father hopes his children will access quality education and eventually become U.S. citizens.

Zimbabwe currently hosts more than 15,000 refugees and asylum seekers, mostly from the DRC, Rwanda, Burundi, and Mozambique. Many remain at Tongogara Refugee Camp, which has operated since the 1980s and continues to face challenges such as limited employment and education opportunities.

"I ask the U.S. government to give the same opportunity to others still in the camp. Everyone deserves a chance at a new life," the father appealed.

While this family's resettlement is a success story, humanitarian groups emphasize that many refugees in Zimbabwe continue to wait, uncertain of their future.