By James Berreth 

Editor in Chief 

From the comfort of the United States, how does one try and understand the plight of those in refugee camps. Unfortunately for the world, refugee camps and those that inhabit them are all-too-common producing some of the worst living environments known to exist and all too often, the refugees themselves rarely find a way out, let alone find themselves prospering in Minnesota; about as far from the Nyabiheke refugee camp – located in Rwanda – as one can get.  

Such is the story of Justin Shukuru who grew up in the Nyabiheke refugee camp and was resettled in the U.S. as a teenager along with his mother Florence, and his younger brother and sister. Arriving first in New Bern, N.C., Shukuru details the many firsts he experienced in such vivid detail you can almost see his wide-eyed expression of awe.  

In his autobiography, Justin first takes us through the daily trials of a refugee trying to survive by acting the part of a man providing for his family while he was still a child. He goes to great length describing the trek he took daily to fetch water from the closest source, some four miles away. He also tells of the time spent with a man named Masengesho (a man he tells me was a father figure to him) and how this man took the time to teach a young, skinny kid with a quiet reserve about him that Shukuru now employs as a man. The way Shukuru speaks of the wood is a different kind of poetry that would make you believe the wood spoke to him. 

Justin also frequently mentions the wisdom he learned – and inherited – from his mother who’s trust in God and unwavering support for her children provided an armor for her them to wear against the heat, starvation, and storms life threw at her and her family.

Taking lessons he learned from the many trials the camp offered, Shukuru shows how he used them to his benefit here in America. Written in a form that resembles the Book of Proverbs coupled with a modern self-help manual, all presented as an autobiography, “I Wasn’t Invited, I Showed Up Anyway” is a must read for anyone needing inspiration, instruction, or just a good story. 

Justin Shukuru will be hosting a book release event at Cafe’ Latte at 850 Grand Avenue in St. Paul on Sunday the 22^nd of February from noon until 2. Come by and pick up your copy.