Refugee Series/Humanity Amidst Chaos: The Resilience and Determination of James Achuli, a South Sudanese Refugee (Ep 27)
James Achuli is a refugee student studying International Relations at the University of British Columbia. He first arrived in Calgary, Canada in February 2022 as a refugee. At the immigration office, James was asked about his identity and where he came from. He shared his experiences of being born during the civil war in Sudan, growing up as an internally displaced person, and witnessing the destruction caused by war.
Despite the hardships, James was determined to receive an education and received a scholarship to further his studies. He faced another war in South Sudan in 2016, where he witnessed the death of a friend and was then taken by armed men. With the help of a kind woman, James managed to escape and joined a group of refugees walking towards safety in Uganda.
Eventually, he arrived at a refugee camp and faced the daily challenges and struggles that refugees endure. James acknowledges the difficulties faced by refugees, such as forced displacement, persecution, and lack of basic necessities. Through his experiences, he strives to shed light on the struggles faced by refugees and advocate for their rights and better opportunities.