As part of UCC's celebration of Refugee Week 2021 UCC 98.3FM is pleased to present an interview with UCC second year student Raphael Olympio. Raphael is interviewed by Dr. Gertrude Cotter. Both Raphael and Gertrude are members of UCC’s University of Sanctuary Working Group. 24- year-old Raphael who has been living in Cork for 18 years and was just six years old when he moved from Togo in west Africa to Ireland with his parents and younger siblings. The family were fleeing conflict, arising from a civil war. In this interview he speaks about his early childhood years in Togo, he discusses life for his family living in Direct Provision in Clonakilty, his experience of primary and secondary school as he grew up in Cork. This is a story of courage, resilience, self-awareness and the power of faith. Raphael and his family have overcome mental health difficulties, racism, foster care, changes of country, school and home, yet he has emerged as a successful university student, an accomplished musician and a powerful advocate for refugee communities in Ireland.
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