This year, AIRD Tanzania at Nduta Camp, refugees in Kibondo took on the responsibility of giving hot meals at the departure center, ensuring all returnees registering for voluntary repatriation to Burundi were properly fed and accommodated. Incentive workers under the supervision of AIRD became the backbone of this effort. Without them, the process would not have run as smoothly.
These incentive workers are Burundian refugees who, even as they prepared for their own return home, chose to prioritize the well-being of others.
What makes their story even more powerful is that they are not just workers; they are part of the very community being served. They understand the journey, the uncertainty, and the hope that each returnee carries. And perhaps that is why they serve with such compassion. For example, one incentive worker, Aline, shared how she remembered her own first day in the center, filled with nervousness about what would come next. Now, when she prepares meals, she always tries to smile and offer kind words, knowing just how much a small gesture can mean to someone about to take a big step.
If you walk into the cooking area early in the morning, you’ll likely find them already there. Some are cleaning, lighting the fire, cutting vegetables, or stirring big pots. There’s no noise of complaint, just people working together, helping each other without needing to be told what to do.
When it’s time to serve, they move quickly, making sure everyone gets food. They understand what it means to be in that line, waiting. Many of them have been there themselves. That’s why they serve with care and patience.
And when the meals are done, their work continues. Cleaning, arranging, carrying, organizing, whatever needs to be done, they do it. Not because someone is watching, but because they know it matters.
What stands out most is not just the work, but the spirit behind it. These are people who are in transition themselves, yet they still show up every day for others. They bring a sense of dignity to the whole process. They have been a big part of making sure the departure center runs the way it should. And for that, we are truly grateful.
We see you, and we thank you. Every meal you prepared, every kind word you offer, every early morning you spent helping others, did not go unnoticed. Your effort and compassion made a real difference. This acknowledgment comes from a place of deep appreciation for everything you have done.
