My world: the homecoming

Most people would be only too keen to get out of the refugee camps where they spent their childhood but Gemma Tracee Apiku cannot wait to return.

She spent eight years of her young life as a refugee in Southern Sudan after her family escaped Uganda in the 1980s when the Idi Amin regime - in which her father was a soldier - was overthrown.

Life was grim living in the congested transit camps, with up to eight people living in a small hut.

There were open sewers and little shelter against the elements.

She awoke every morning with the desperate hope that agencies would be there with food and if it were not for them, she would not be here now.

Growing up surrounded by war and poverty, led her to pursue a career in humanitarian aid, so that she can give something back to the people who were left behind.

This programme follows Gemma back to Uganda where she spent so many of her formative years.

She visits camps, speaks to refugees and assesses their needs.

Gemma also revisits her old home and meets relatives to try and piece together how her family fared during those years of military upheaval.

First broadcast Friday 22nd May 2009