A stunning and heartbreaking lens on the global refugee crisis, this narrative follows Mondiant Dogon, a Bagogwe Tutsi from the Democratic Republic of Congo. At just three years old, he faced unimaginable horror when a Hutu family friend warned his family of imminent death. This prompted a perilous escape into Rwanda, where they encountered several UN tent cities over decades. Their quest for safety was fraught with violence and prejudice, even in a country led by a former refugee. Dogon and his family often struggled to find enough food to survive. In a desperate attempt for a better life, he returned to Congo, only to be imprisoned and forced into becoming a child soldier. For many refugees, camps initially seem like havens but quickly turn into traps. Against the odds, Dogon became one of the few refugees to attend college, though he concealed his status due to shame. Eventually, he emerged as a powerful advocate for displaced people. Rarely do refugees share their own stories; they are often seen fleetingly in crisis. Through his writing, Dogon reclaimed his narrative and gave voice to countless others, reminding us that "those we throw away are diamonds."
