Voluntary Assisted Return and Reintegration Programme (VARRP) in Southern Africa

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) in London in conjunction with UK partners and IOM offices in Southern Africa is implementing a Voluntary Assisted Return and Reintegration Programme (VARRP) for Southern African nationals residing in the UK who are asylum seekers and wish to return home. In addition to helping individuals and families with the cost of their flight to Southern Africa, IOM is able to provide reintegration assistance once they return home.

Reintegration assistance includes:

The aim of reintegration assistance is to provide support for activities that would benefit the returnees, as well as facilitate self-sufficiency and sustainable return in countries of origin. Over the past two years, many South African nationals returning from the UK have benefited from the Programme. Here are some examples of how IOM has helped South African nationals who have returned with IOM’s assistance.

The IOM offices in Luanda, Lusaka, Harare and Kinshasa assist returnees as well. Other sending countries include Ireland, the Netherlands and Switzerland.

Returnee Testimonies

PHINA MAKGWADI
“Thank you for making my dream come true” Phina said to the IOM official when she returned to South Africa after living in the United Kingdom (UK) for two years. In the UK, she found life difficult. Not only did she have health problems but, she was unable to work. Once she made the difficult decision to return home, her doctor put her in touch with an organization that could help her and this is how she came to know the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in London.

The IOM was instrumental in assisting her to obtain the necessary documents to travel to South Africa, purchasing her airline ticket to South Africa, and providing her with much needed support to take that first step towards returning home. The IOM assistance, however, did not end when she boarded the plane. On her return, the IOM office in Pretoria was there to help make her transition from the UK to South Africa an easier one. It was in South Africa that Phina met a staff member at IOM Pretoria who provided her with support and advice and worked in conjunction with IOM London to provide Phina with the necessary assistance and funding to re-start her life.

Although Phina originally wanted to set up a beauty salon, she decided it was important for her to have a job, which would offer her flexible working hours. For this reason Phina decided to pursue a telephone service business. “I needed a job where I could sit down and that could be run by someone else in case I needed to visit the hospital or [attend to other affairs].”

IOM assisted Phina to purchase two telephones and a booth. They also helped her to receive training to run a successful business. Tis assistance meant everything to Phina. “Without [the assistance] there would be no life.” Three weeks after returning home, Phina began earning an income. “My first day I earned over 400 Rand” she squeals with excitement! Her smile is infectious and she cannot hide her happiness. Her telephone booth is frequently used by the local community and is situated on a well-traveled road, within walking distance from residential communities. Prior to establishing her business she made contact with the local government office for a license which legalizes the business. As well as providing a service to the local community, she also employs a friend and trained her to work the telephone booth in case Phina is unable to be there.

Phina also provides much needed financial support to her sister who earns a small income as a housekeeper. She is extremely grateful for the assistance - “I will live long and be happy – I have things to do now.”

Before leaving, Phina hugs the IOM staff member who provided her with assistance after arriving in South Africa and affectionately calls her “mother”. It is clear that she will not forget her second chance at life nor the person who helped make her dream come true. She only has one hope – that IOM Pretoria can help others just like her. What she does not realize is that they are already doing just that.

THE MASHIGO FAMILY
With four young children, no savings and no immediate income due to the difficulty in finding employment as a foreign national living in South Africa, it was a difficult start for the Mashigo family on their return to South Africa. Although life is still difficult for them, they are extremely grateful for the assistance they have received from IOM. This includes six airline tickets from the UK to Johannesburg, the two oldest children enrolled in local schools, crèches for the youngest ones, as well as a chance to earn an immediate income to pay for basic necessities. With funding from the VARRP Programme, IOM helped the Mashigo family to purchase a mobile food caravan to start a small business.

After living in the UK for four years, the Mashigo family decided to return to South Africa as Mrs. Mashigo’s father was very sick and asked them to come back. Immediately after returning home, they contacted IOM Pretoria where they found a person who gave them strength to move forward.

Originally, Mrs. Mashigo wanted to pursue her education to become a qualified teacher. While in the UK, she had volunteered as a teaching assistant. However, the family needed an immediate income in South Africa to cover everyday living expenses and this is how they decided on the food caravan business. Their day starts in the morning when they are busy preparing the food at home. They hired three unemployed members of the local community to assist them with their business - an elderly woman who helps them wash the dishes and pots, another woman who assists with the food preparation, and a young gentleman to help serve the food from the caravan. Previously these three had little chance of finding employment due to their age and education level.

Now they all contribute greatly to the success of the Mashigo family business. Add to this, Mr. Mashigo who is the main chef, Mrs. Mashigo who contributes to the running of the operation, and four children, who when not in school liven up the business with energy.

Mrs. Mashigo is still planning to become a teacher and is training trainers in HIV/AIDS – although this is supposed to be a paid job, she feels more like a volunteer as the institution has yet to pay her. Nevertheless, she continues this work out of dedication.

The smells coming from the caravan are mouth-watering. Although times are difficult, they are receiving a small income from the business. “It’s tough, it’s a lot of work, but we are going to survive.” The couple adds “I must thank IOM for all it has done. IOM has helped us so much and it really means a lot.”

More Testimonies

JACOB NGOBENI Jacob returned to Durban after living in the UK for nine months and is studying electrical engineering at a local college. He loves working in the field of robotics and enjoys the course immensely. “I want to start a new life, get an education, and find a job” and IOM is helping him make this start.

	BRIDGET MASHABELA Bridget returned to South Africa after living in the UK for a year and a half. She is studying for a certificate in PC Support at Damelin College. While Bridget is studying, her child is in nursery. “I would not have come back to South Africa without IOM’s assistance.” “[My future] will brighten after I finish my course and should help me to get a job.”

PATRICIA MPHELA Patricia lived in the UK for five months and returned to South Africa last year. Currently, she is studying Financial Management at a local college. Her exams are in one month and she looks forward to getting her results back. With a new baby to support. Patricia is hopeful about her future and her ability to earn an income using her new skills.

For more information on the Voluntary Assisted Return and Reintegration Programme, please contact the IOM office in Pretoria +27 12 342 2789/+27 12 342 1961 or visit the IOM London website on www.iomlondon.org.

The VARRP Programme is co-financed by the European Refugee Fund (ERF).