Tina Mukasa with her grandmother Mbanga Balongelwa in the Nyarugusu Refugee Camp in Tanzania. “I prayed and dreamed about this day for so long to meet my beloved grandmother, aunties, uncles and cousins in the Nyarugusu Refugee Camp.”
Returning to a place once called home can stir deep emotions, connecting you to your roots and where the heart always feels a pull.
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For 26-year-old Tina Mukasa, returning to the Nyarugusu Refugee Camp in Tanzania, where she once called home and lived as a refugee, was a profound reminder of how the heart can truly find its way back.
However, this trip was more than just a visit to her motherland; it was the realisation of a long-held dream from her teenage years and a life-changing journey taken this year alongside her twin sister, Neema, and brother, Monga.
Two decades had passed since Tina last set foot in Africa after arriving in Australia as a refugee at the age of eight, so this trip became an exciting opportunity to rediscover the land she had left behind.
High on her to do list was revisiting the place where her grandmother had raised her after her mother’s passing through war conflict, and the chance to once again feel her grandmother’s loving embrace.
“We had been talking about doing a sibling trip back to Africa for years,” Tina said.
“But we felt it was important for everyone to share in that same spirit. It wasn’t just about me or my sister needing to go, we all needed to feel it together.
“It’s a long way from the life we’ve been blessed with here in Australia, and we all had to be ready to be able to truly embrace it, and really feel it.”
While the trio had tourist plans while in Africa, visiting family in the refugee camp and reconnecting with their grandmother, Mbanga Balongelwa, who helped raise six of the Mukasa children, was a top priority.
They drove three hours from Kigoma in Tanzania, near the borders of Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo, to the camp where many of their family members still reside, 20 years later, awaiting refugee status.
“We were only allowed to enter the border of the refugee camp, and only allowed four hours with our family,” she said.
“It was quite a big process to make it all happen, but we didn’t give up. We even had to have interviews of why we were going to see them, which was difficult to comprehend, because family is family.
“It was an eye-opening experience. But the best part was seeing my grandma, just to see her and feel her, hear her. It was like a dream come true.
“I don’t remember what it’s like to have a mum, and it had been so long since I remembered what it was like to have a grandma so, to just be with her was so surreal. And seeing all my Dad’s brothers and their resemblance was amazing.”
Tina and her siblings brought many items into the refugee camp to give back to their loved ones, including food, necessities that are often taken for granted, and even money.
They enjoyed their time together immensely, but before they knew it, those four short hours were over, and emotional goodbyes began.
“Going back to where our story started in the refugee camp was very emotional, and I did a lot of reflecting on how far we had come and how hard it must have been for my Dad, really struggling to help us survive and find a better life for us.
“When I was younger, the camp felt like it was a jail with fences, but I was young. This time, all these years later, it became obvious the fencing was to keep us all safe.
“It went so quick, and it was hard to say goodbye, but I am so grateful for the experience. It really made me appreciate what I have so much more.”
As Tina reflected on the experience with gratitude, she spoke of her determination to inspire others to take similar paths back to their roots, or alternatively, just book a flight and travel.
“Take nothing for granted, go back home, live your best possible life and travel – it’s so good for the soul,” she said.
“We saw a lot while we were home in Africa and I never knew it had so much beauty. It really shows you that you can’t always believe everything you hear and see.
“Being home and connecting with the culture and seeing the street markets, eating the delicious food, being around the breathtaking nature, the scenery, it was amazing.
“I felt like I was in a movie, and I felt like a tourist, except I felt like I was the same as everyone else. It was the best experience, and I feel so lucky to have experienced it.
“Life is too short; don’t wait for the perfect moment — create it, embrace it, and let it transform you.”
Tina’s beautiful mother, Juliette Nesengya M’sema, who sadly passed during war conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This is the only photo Tina has of her mother.
Tina pictured with her fathers brothers inside the Nyarugusu Refugee Camp in Tanzania.
The entry of the Nyarugusu Refugee Camp where Tina had not been in 20 years.
Tina was left breathless at the beauty of her motherland country of Africa. She is pictured here picking tea in the fields after being shown by farmers how they process it.
“The first thing I did with my siblings and our friend while in Kenya was to embark on a road trip to try the traditional African tea “Teagoni Tea Tour”. We reconnected and shared stories with the farm owners. An interesting fact is that Kenya is the third tea exporter in the world.“ — Tina Mukasa. Pictured, Monga and Tina with their friend Aisha Fareed.
Tina, Neema and Monga Mukasa in Tanzania exploring the stunning coastline.
Neema, Tina and Monga Mukasa enjoying some beach time in Tanzania.
Tina enjoyed shopping at the markets and eating the delicious food on her return back to Africa.
Tina enjoying cooling off with a refreshment at an open air bar.
Tour time with the zebras in Tanzania.
Immersed in Tanzania art and culture.
“The beaches were more beautiful than I could have ever imagined.” — Tina Mukasa
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