Kefilwe was a single parent in Botswana, raising three children and caring for her parents. Because of difficulties in the country, she wanted to move her family to a place where they might have more opportunity. She decided to leave her children with her parents so that she could travel abroad to Ireland to apply for asylum, hoping that if she was approved that the family would be able to follow her. She lived in an accommodation centre while her application was considered. After two years, her application had still not been approved and Kefilwe had been unable to work during that time. She missed her children and was suffering from health issues.

She heard from a fellow church member that IOM had a program that could help her return to Botswana. She called the office in Dublin to find out more information. Kefilwe learned that IOM could assist her in purchasing a plane ticket to return to Botswana. She could also apply for a reintegration grant to start a business that would help her support her family. Kefilwe decided that she wanted to return so that she could reunite with her children.

Once she returned to Botswana, Kefilwe submitted a business plan to the IOM office in Pretoria. She received a grant so that she could open a business supplying firewood to local houses and shops. After six months, she reported that her client base is growing slowly because her lack of transport is a problem. She cannot yet support her family but hopes that her work will continue to expand.

“Home is home, and I would encourage others to return and build a future in their country.”

Kefilwe said that she was glad to be with her children again, though she might emigrate again one day if it could help her family. Her dream is to save enough money to open and manage a motel in her village, since there is nowhere for visitors to stay currently.

 

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