Resettlement of Returnees

Introduction

Resettlement is more than just coming back home — it is about rebuilding safety, restoring dignity, and creating opportunities for returnees to prosper in their communities.

For many returnees, the physical act of returning is only the first step.

The real challenge lies in resettling: finding a place to live, reconnecting with loved ones, and creating a sustainable livelihood.

At Forget Foundation, we believe resettlement is the cornerstone of successful reintegration.

Without safe housing, stable income, and community acceptance, returnees face the risk of displacement all over again.

Our vision is to ensure that every returnee not only comes back but also belongs.

Challenges of Resettlement:

The journey of return is often marked by complex challenges. Returnees may come back to find:

Lack of Housing:

Homes may have been lost, destroyed, or claimed by others during their absence.

Many returnees face homelessness or insecure shelter.

Limited Livelihood Opportunities:

Without stable work or income, families struggle to meet basic needs.

Social Stigma and Discrimination:

Communities may view returnees with suspicion, especially if they left under difficult circumstances.

Emotional Trauma:

Separation, migration hardships, and reintegration stress often take a toll on mental health.

Legal and Documentation Gaps: Returnees may lack identity papers, property titles, or other documents critical for resettlement.

These barriers can make returnees feel like strangers in their own homeland. That is why dedicated resettlement support is essential.

Our Vision for Resettlement:

Our vision is a future where every returnee finds home, hope, and opportunity upon returning.

We believe resettlement should not be about “starting from zero” but about building on the resilience, skills, and experiences returnees bring with them.

We envision:

Safe homes where families can rebuild their lives.

Thriving livelihoods that enable independence and dignity.

Inclusive communities that welcome returnees as valued members.

Sustainable reintegration where no one feels the need to migrate again due to lack of support.

At the heart of this vision are our values: dignity, compassion, inclusion, and empowerment.

Our Approach to Resettlement

Resettlement requires a holistic approach. At Forget Foundation, we work across several key areas to ensure returnees can build a future:

• ☼ 1.Housing Assistance

We provide temporary shelter for vulnerable returnees and work with local authorities and partners to secure long-term housing solutions.

In some cases, we support home reconstruction or rehabilitation.

• ☼ 2.Livelihood Support

We believe economic independence is critical for resettlement. Our livelihood support includes:

Skills training and vocational courses.

Job placement with local employers.

Small business grants and entrepreneurship coaching.

• ☼ 3.Community Integration

Reintegration succeeds when communities are ready to welcome returnees. We organize:

Community dialogues to break stigma.

Cultural and social events that build connection.

Peer-support groups led by returnees themselves.

• ☼ 4.Psychosocial Support

Resettlement is not just physical — it is emotional. Our trained therapists and peer mentors offer:

Trauma counseling.

Group therapy sessions.

Family mediation to rebuild trust.

• ☼ 5.Legal & Documentation Support.

We help returnees secure the legal documents they need to access housing, work, and services.

This includes assistance with IDs, property rights, and family reunification paperwork.

A Story of Hope:Ngonjiri’s Journey:

When Ngonjiri returned home after eleven years abroad, he had nowhere to go.

His family’s home had been damaged, and he carried the weight of both financial and emotional struggles.

Through our resettlement programme, Ngonjiri first found temporary housing in a safe shelter.

With support from our livelihood team, he trained as a gym instructor and received a small grant to start his training course.

Our therapists also provided psychosocial support to help him process his experiences.

Today, Ngonjiri not only supports his family but also has indulged three other returnees men to do the same.

He is a symbol of resilience and hope in his community.

Ngong Township, Kajiado North.

Partnerships & Community Role:

We know resettlement cannot succeed alone. That is why we work hand-in-hand with:

Local governments to secure housing and social protection.

Community leaders to ensure acceptance and inclusion.

International partners like IOM, UNHCR, and other NGOs for technical and financial support.

By combining resources and expertise, we maximize impact for every returnee we serve.

Our Values in Action:

Resettlement is not just a programme — it is a commitment. We approach every returnee with dignity, ensuring that solutions are not imposed but co-created.

We believe that every returnee has a voice and a future, and our team is here to walk alongside them on their journey home.

Join Us:

Resettlement is possible, but only with collective effort. You can play a role in ensuring that returnees do not just return, but prosper:

Donate to support housing and livelihood initiatives.

Volunteer your time and skills to mentor returnees.

Partner with us to expand opportunities for resettlement.

Together, we can turn return into renewal, and resettlement into resilience.

Resettlement is one of the most critical steps in ensuring that returnees not only come back, but also stay, grow, and prosper.

For many, the journey home is marked by uncertainty: Where will I live? How will I earn a living? Will my community accept me again?

At Forget Foundation, we believe that resettlement must go beyond survival.

It should restore dignity, rebuild trust, and open doors to opportunity."