Fin a certain point, Melissa’s life was a sample of difficulty: War in Congo, violence, diseases of the father and brother, too big responsibilities for a girl. Furthermore, gender discrimination, escape from his country, financial difficulties, social pressure. But then the wheel of fate is shot. Thanks to his passion and talent for technology, in Uganda where he had taken refuge, he was selected and formed to start working … in Italy, directly, with a contract already formalized and only to be signed. Its history helps to understand how working corridors work in our country. “TRAINING FOR TAKE” Pioneering programs that offer safe and legal opportunities for refugees, exploiting a recent law (Law 50).
From the war in Congo to Coding in Italy: the story of Melissa and how a talented refugee finds work
Melissa was born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and is “grown in the middle of the war. My father remained disabled because of violencewhile my mother took care of him and my brother, suffering from chronic heart disease. Being the only daughter, I had to reconcile family responsibilities with my education ». He started studying in the RDC, but the conflict forced the family to flee to Rwanda.
«In 2017, we looked for a refuge in Uganda, where life has become even more difficult. Financial difficulties and social pressure by the most distant relatives, who they insisted that I married me with a rich man To support the family, they created further obstacles. But I resisted, convinced that education was the key to success. This belief prompted me to leave home to continue my studies, against every prediction ».
The passion for technology, the degrees and the first projects
To finance my studies, he worked as a mobile bank counter, saving enough to return to study. He managed to graduate in mathematics, economics, geography and computer science And he received a partial scholarship to study company computer science at the Metropolitan University of Kampala. «At the end of 2024, I rekindled my passion for software engineering and, to indulge it, I chose to take a second degreeat Bugema University, always working to finance studies ».
In 2022, his first independent project: the development of a website for a local restaurant. «Then I became an agent at a call center in Uganda for a humanitarian project managed by UNHCR. I was responsible for the management of refugee protection needs, which improved my relationships with customers ». The experience proved to be precious: it has acquired skills in full-stack development, in digital marketing strategies and in the development of apps for mobile devices.
Not only ambition but trust in the power of education
“My path in the world of technology has not been guided only by ambition, but by a profound sense of purpose»Explains Melissa. «Growing up in an area of conflict, I understood the transformative power of education, not only for individuals, but for entire communities. Despite the social pressure to abandon my dreams in favor of marriage, I continued to believe in education. It was this belief that prompted me to work tirelessly to support my family and finance my education, finally building a career in software development ».
What are working corridors for refugees
When he learned of the existence of the working corridors, “the idea immediately struck me. SortI was afraid that my training and technological skills would offer me a way to reconstruct my life and provide for my family ».
The selection process was rigorous, with interviews, technical assessments and checks of the previous ones. But Melissa has been prepared at all levels for international employment, despite the financial constraints and the lack of resources.
The program attended by Melissa is called Ready for it – Work paths for refugees. Guided by the Accenture Foundation together with UNHCR, it allows Italian employers to select qualified candidates among refugee people, form them to meet specific job requirements and help them move to hold roles within companies. There are 22 young people with background in the IT field that have been able to reach Italy in this way, safely.
“TRAINING FOR TRADEMENT” PROGRESS dedicated to refugees
It is An “train-to-hire” initiative through which employers can select candidates with the necessary basic skills, form them to meet the specific requirements of the company and therefore facilitate their transfer to new countries. An innovative approach that benefits the sectors that face manpower deficiencies and helps refugees integrate into the destination work markets. Training may include technical skills, linguistic skills and/or preparation for work, creating one Sustainable solution to fill the gaps of the workforce and offer opportunities to displaced people.
Ready for it – Work paths for refugees of the Accenture Foundation
For the realization of the Labor Pathways for Refugees project of the Accenture Foundation and UNHCR they collaborated Valdese CSD diaconia, Talent Beyond Boundaries, Pathways Internationalto International Trade Center – ITC (UN/OMC Technical Agency) and AlIndustrial Union Turinwith the contribution of Real Foundation And Conad Ets Foundation and in collaboration with Develop, Refactory uganda And Finn Church Aid.
The working corridors for refugees are the result of a path shared with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Italian Cooperation, the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Labor and Social Policies and the Presidency of the Council of Ministers.
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