In the heart of Burundi, a remarkable love story continues to unfold, one shaped by displacement, resilience, and the powerful support of AIRD and UNHCR. Bonheur, a young man living in the newly created Musenyi refugee site in Rutana, found love with Esther, a woman who has known refugee life almost her entire existence. Her mother recalls that they arrived in Burundi when Esther had just begun learning to walk. She grew up in Musasa Refugee Camp, spending her childhood and youth there, where life in displacement slowly became her normal.

When Bonheur and Esther decided to build a life together, distance became their biggest obstacle. Musenyi in Rutana is far from Musasa in Muyinga, and transportation is currently difficult and expensive for refugees. But Bonheur was determined. He submitted a reunification transfer request, hoping to finally join his wife and support her, especially as she prepared to welcome their newborn.

AIRD stepped in to make this reunification possible. The team organized Bonheur’s safe transport from Musenyi to Musasa alongside other refugees being reunited with their families who had fled earlier, ensuring that his luggage was handled with care and easing the financial burden that would have otherwise made the journey impossible. Thanks to this coordinated effort, Bonheur arrived safely and was able to reunite with Esther.

Today, the couple is living in their own home, happy, no longer separated by distance. Esther shares her joy at no longer living alone, feeling supported, protected, and accompanied as she awaits the birth of their child. Their story is a beautiful reminder that even in exile, love can flourish, and humanitarian partnerships, such as that of AIRD and UNHCR, can make family unity possible.