The UN is not just buildings and acronyms. It is people. People who care, who listen, who act. My name is Didier Habimana. I serve as a UN Volunteer Refugee Youth Coordinator with the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) in Kenya. And I believe that if you bring passion, patience, and persistence, there is space for you here.
Long before the UN Volunteer role, I was already doing volunteer work. I grew up volunteering—joining community initiatives, working with refugee-led organizations, and offering support where I could. In 2015, I became an interpreter for UNHCR. That experience opened my eyes. I saw what was happening behind the scenes in humanitarian response. I saw how systems worked—and sometimes, how they did not. I saw spaces where I could contribute more meaningfully.
That is when I discovered United Nations Volunteers (UNV). It spoke to my values. I wanted to keep serving. I wanted to grow. And I wanted to help shape change from within. So I applied for a UN Volunteer role as Refugee Youth Coordinator at UNHCR Kenya. And now, here I am.
A typical day in my role is never the same. But one thing stays constant: connection. I work closely with youth from refugee communities to understand their needs, dreams, and the barriers they face. I then collaborate with colleagues at UNHCR and with partner organizations to design responses that are grounded in real voices, not assumptions. Through youth engagement forums, we have created spaces for young refugees to connect, learn, and mentor each other.
In those sessions, we share practical information—opportunities for education, leadership, and skills development. Some youth have told me these forums shifted how they see themselves. One said it was the first time he felt seen—not just as a refugee, but as a leader. Today, he mentors others in his camp.
We also support refugee-led organizations. They are essential to building stronger communities, but they often face huge challenges. Most lack sustainable funding. Many do not have access to training or capacity-building. Others are left out of decision-making processes that directly affect them.
In response, we advocate for their inclusion. We create platforms where they can speak directly to partners. We connect them to new opportunities: grants, forums, partnerships. We help them grow, not just survive.
Still, there are challenges. The needs on the ground are many. The resources are often scarce. Youth want change, but access to opportunities is often uneven. Some feel disillusioned or excluded from formal processes. Balancing all this can be overwhelming. I have learned to prioritize. I lean on my team. I ask for help when I need it. But the biggest thing that keeps me going is this: I come from the same community I serve. I understand the frustration, the hope, and the resilience.
That is why this work is not just a job to me. It is personal. Each time I see a young person rise—take a chance, lead a project, speak in a room where they were once invisible—I remember why I show up.
And I have grown, too. Through this experience, I have strengthened my leadership, coordination, and communication skills. I have learned how to navigate partnerships and how to solve problems in complex environments. I have learned that change takes time—but it comes when we stay rooted in community. The lessons I have learned will stay with me. Lessons about resilience. About inclusivity. About listening deeply. I now see how powerful it is to build spaces where people are not just beneficiaries, but contributors and changemakers.
Looking ahead, I want to keep working in humanitarian and development fields. I see myself in leadership roles where I can influence policies and champion the inclusion of refugees in national and regional agendas. My focus will remain on youth, community development, and sustainable opportunities for marginalized groups.
My UN Volunteer experience has laid a strong foundation. It has given me practical tools and a wide network. But more importantly, it has affirmed my belief that service—when done with humility and purpose—can transform not only systems, but people.
To anyone who wants to make a difference, including through global institutions like the United Nations, I would say: do not wait for permission. Start where you are. Volunteer. Ask questions. Seek out learning. Engage with different people and take initiative. You do not have to be in a high-level position to have an impact. Volunteering with the UN is a great opportunity to gain valuable experience, build meaningful connections, and make a real impact in communities. It requires dedication, adaptability, and a strong passion for service.
The UN is not just buildings and acronyms. It is people. People who care, who listen, who act. If you bring passion, patience, and persistence, there is space for you here.
Even small actions can build momentum for change. And that momentum matters—especially for communities like mine. So stay committed and embrace every opportunity to grow and make a difference.
This World Refugee Day, I hope more people choose to stand not just for refugees, but with them.
