Minds of the Movement

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On a warm September evening in 2025, Nora celebrated a birthday she will never forget. For the first time in years, it was marked not by fear or loneliness, but by joy and community. "...it has been a long time since I last received such a wonderful surprise on my birthday," she says, deeply moved.

Nora is the wife of a human rights defender from West Africa who sought refuge at Karibu Residence in Senegal a few months ago, fleeing fierce persecution in his home country. Together with their children, they arrived at Karibu after months in transit through another country.

Residents share a meal at the Karibu Residence. Dakar, 2025. Credit: Sylvain Cherkaoui

This was Nora’s third birthday in exile. The first two, celebrated in their temporary host country, remain painful memories of distress and isolation. At Karibu, however, she experienced something different: belonging. That evening, fellow residents—who affectionately refer to themselves as “family”—organized a surprise celebration inside the beautiful white building on the seafront in the suburbs of Dakar. When she least expected it, a beautiful birthday cake appeared on the table before her, while the group enthusiastically sang, "Happy Birthday... Happy Birthday..." Nora and her husband were deeply moved by this thoughtful gesture, and they expressed heartfelt gratitude to their fellow residents.

This little story of Nora's birthday perfectly illustrates the warm atmosphere, family spirit, and quality of life at Karibu House, a small oasis of well-being for human rights defenders, journalists, activists, and others in distress.

Residents at an artistic workshop. Dakar, 2025. Credit: Y en a marre movement

Exile as a springboard!

The Karibu Residence is an initiative of the Senegalese civil society movement Y en a Marre. The name Karibu, which means "welcome" in Swahili, the most widely spoken language in Africa, captures the philosophy of this program, which is steeped in the tradition of Senegalese hospitality. It is intended to be a place of refuge and respite for activists in distress.  But much more than a place of shelter, it is a holistic, integrated program designed to make exile not a graveyard of the convictions and ambitions of exilées, but a springboard to recharge their batteries, reinvent themselves, and continue to pursue their ideals—even far from home.

The ultimate goal of Y en a Marre through this program is to give exile a new face, even a new definition. To achieve this, explains Maymouna N’Diaye, the program’s operations manager, it rests on four essential pillars:

• Subsistence and coexistence. Residents are provided with a secure environment that guarantees optimal conditions for rest and harmonious living. They stay in comfortably furnished rooms and receive hygiene kits for daily use. Three meals are served at set times, along with a small financial allowance for personal needs.
• Health and well-being. The program emphasizes physical and mental health. If needed, residents are referred to specialists, with medical costs covered. Mental health receives particular attention through follow-ups with a dedicated specialist.
• Training and networking. The goal is to make Karibu Residence a true hub for knowledge-sharing and networking. A well-equipped conference room, a rooftop terrace serving as a performance space, and a mini-library are available. Though activities under this pillar have not fully launched yet, an artistic residency last July brought hip hop artists to the house, giving residents a taste. A class on the history and philosophy of hip hop helped them discover this cultural movement often burdened by negative stereotypes.
• Socio-professional integration. The final pillar targets residents wishing to settle permanently in Senegal. A specialist supports those pursuing this path.

Participants at a workshop organised at the Karibu Residence, Dakar, 2025. Credit: Y en a marre movement

Nearly a dozen residents currently live at Karibu House, most from West Africa’s Sahel region ruled by autocratic military juntas, and from Central African countries scarred by armed conflict.

The Karibu program demonstrates how hospitality, solidarity, and the kindness of others can ease the hardships of exile and even serve as a springboard to a new, fulfilling life. We certainly wish it a long life so that it can grow and expand.