FORGETING AND LETTING GO OF THE PAST INITIATIVE (FORGET FOUNDATION)
Slogan: Promoting Humility to all.
FORGET FOUNDATION IS A NON- PROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT ADDRESSES POLITICAL, ECONOMICAL OR SOCIAL CONDITIONS OF THE SOCIETY, AT THE NATIONAL OR INTERNATIONAL LEVEL.
Our Aim:
To promote humility by encouraging the spirit of letting go of bad past and releasing shuckles and bondage to people's past that affect their livelihood and creating Intended change in institutional performance, individual or group behaviour or attitudes, or the political, economic or social position of returnees by monitoring and evaluating under return and reintegration programmes.
Top 8 Challenges Returnees Face (and How to Overcome Them)
Top 8 Challenges Returnees Encounter (and How to Overcome Them)
Reintegration is a critical process that goes beyond simply coming home.
Returnees often face multiple challenges that affect their ability to rebuild
their lives. This guide highlights eight common barriers and offers practical
ways to overcome them.
1. Lack of Preparedness
unrealistic expectations, no pre-departure support.
Solution: Pre-departure guidance to manage expectations and ensure safe return.
2. Spiritual and Mental stress
Many returnees experience feelings of isolation, trauma, or reverse culture shock.
These emotional challenges can make it difficult to reconnect with family and
community.
Solution: Access to counseling, peer support groups,
and community-based psychosocial programs can help returnees heal and adjust.
3. Lack of Secure Employment
Securing a job is often one of the biggest obstacles. Skills gained abroad
may not be recognized, or employers may hold negative stereotypes about returnees.
Solution: Vocational training, entrepreneurship programs, and
job placement initiatives provide pathways to economic stability.
4. Foundamental Necessities
Without safe housing, reintegration can quickly fall apart. Many returnees
come back without financial resources to secure accommodation.
Solution: Community housing projects and NGO partnerships
are critical in bridging this gap.
5. Social Exclusion
Returnees may be seen as outsiders, judged for leaving, or blamed for past
difficulties. This stigma can prevent them from fully rejoining community life.
Solution: Awareness campaigns and dialogue sessions
can help communities embrace returnees with dignity and respect.
6. Family Restoration
Returning home can cause shifts in family roles. Children may struggle to
bond with a parent who has been absent for years.
Solution: Family counseling and structured reintegration
plans can rebuild trust and restore balance at home.
7. institutional Constraints and Policy Impediments
Missing documents, debts, or unclear legal status often create major barriers.
Without proper paperwork, returnees can’t work, access healthcare, or secure housing.
Solution: Legal aid programs and government initiatives
can provide the necessary support.
8. Barriers to medical Care
Health issues — physical or mental — often go untreated due to lack of
affordable care, creating long-term problems.
Solution: Referral systems and partnerships with
healthcare providers ensure returnees receive proper treatment.
Case Study: Ngonjiri's Journey
Ngonjiri returned to Kenya after eleven years abroad. At first, he struggled to find work
and felt unwelcome in his community in Ngong Township, Kajiado North. With the help of Forget Foundation, he received
job training and joined a support group. Today, he works as a gym instructor and volunteers to mentor other returnees.
Conclusion
Reintegration is not a single event but a process requiring support at different stages.
From psychosocial to employment and foundamental necessities, addressing these eight challenges is key
to a life-long success. With the right tools and resources, returnees can prosper and help
constructively to their communities.
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