Furaha left Burundi in 2006 to apply for asylum in Ireland. He lived in Ireland for four years in an accommodation centre while his application was considered. During that time, he began to miss his family and wanted to return to Burundi. He asked the Irish immigration office if there were services that could help him return, and they told him about IOM.

Furaha made an appointment to speak with staff in the Dublin office, and found out that he could be assisted with both the cost of travel and through reintegration assistance. He began to think about what business he would open while still in Ireland.

After Furaha returned to Burundi, he contacted the local IOM office to apply for reintegration assistance. The staff assisted him in planning to open a moto-taxi business. With the grant, he was able to find a used moto-taxi, which he can now use to support himself. However, after six months, Furaha reported that he was facing a lot of competition from other moto-taxi drivers. He hopes to find more investment so that he can improve his services and profits.

Furaha still hopes to find a job outside Burundi one day, but is happy to be reunited with his family for now.

“I would tell them to apply for voluntary return, especially for those who do not have papers. In one’s own country, people are allowed to set up any business in freedom.”