Inspiration Behind the Name "Wide World for Refugee"

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The name of the organization, Wide World for Refugee, was born from the lived experiences and profound reflections of our founder, Tshishiku Henry. Drawing from his decade-long journey as a refugee in Dzaleka Refugee Camp in Malawi, Tshishiku envisioned a world where the limitations imposed on refugees would no longer exist.

At Dzaleka, life was defined by restrictions. The camp spanned just about two square miles, where refugees were forced to remain indefinitely, unable to leave without government approval. Though the camp had no physical fences, the laws governing it functioned as invisible yet unyielding borders. To add to this grim reality, the camp itself was a former prison, a stark reminder of the lack of freedom refugees endured. “It was an open prison,” Tshishiku recounts, “a place where freedom was not taken with chains, but with laws that acted as walls, leaving no space for dreams to grow.”

Reflecting on his journey after arriving in the United States, Tshishiku recognized that the restrictions he experienced in Malawi were not isolated. Across the world, millions of refugees live under similar constraints, confined to camps that deny them the fundamental rights of movement, opportunity, and dignity. For Tshishiku, this was unacceptable. “A refugee camp should be a place of safety, not a cage,” he says. “We are all human, and humanity should not be measured by where we come from or where we are forced to stay.”

Driven by his experiences and the desire for change, Tshishiku dreamed of a world where refugees are free to move, thrive, and contribute to society without barriers. He envisioned a limitless world, where borders do not confine human potential, and where every individual is seen for their inherent value, not their circumstances. “The world is vast and interconnected,” he often says. “If the world is truly a village, then no one should be confined to a square mile.”

This dream gave birth to the name Wide World for Refugee. It symbolizes a boundless and inclusive world where refugees are not just survivors but empowered members of society. As Tshishiku eloquently puts it, “Refugees deserve not just a corner to survive in, but a world to thrive in.”

The organization’s name is a testament to Tshishiku’s unwavering belief in equality, humanity, and hope. It serves as both a call to action and a reminder that the world can—and must—be a place where everyone, regardless of their origin, is free to live with dignity and purpose.