Initiatives Transform Tanzania Refugee Camp

Elphonsina is a single parent blessed with three children, Jacques, 17, Maulid, 12, and the last born Cecile, 6. Elphonsina says she came to Tanzania in 1997 and was placed in Nyalugusu refugee’s camp where her first two children were born. Later on, they were shifted to Lugufu camp where she was blessed again with her last born Cecile. Jacques is at secondary school while Maulid and Cecile are in primary schools.

When you ask Elphonsina about her life in a refugee camp, she will not hesitate to tell you about the transformational work that World Vision is doing.

“World Vision has made our children’s education possible. I am happy that our children get free education and learn in a good environment,” she says.

World Vision has supported this refugee community by building classrooms and equipping them with desks. “The organization is also supporting teachers by providing them with incentives; this has contributed to delivery of quality education to our children,” Elphonsina adds.

Elphonsina’s son Jacques says his is very happy with World Vision’s work.

“Before they started interventions in our school, we used to study in classes while standing and our teachers were not motivated to teach us properly,” Jacques says.

He adds that, “My handwriting has become better since I started writing while seated at a desk; our school academic performance has also increased.”

Jacques also comments that, “With the education I get, I feel like other children who are not refugees.”

Sixteen-year-old Jacline Adalbert is also a secondary student and a neighbour of Elphonsina’s family. She is also a refugee from Congo and has witnessed behavioural change among youths in Lugufu camp.

“Before the introduction of ‘learn from me’ programme, many youth in this community were misbehaving. Early pregnancies were common, some were using drugs and early marriages were common,” Jacline says.

World Vision introduced the ‘learn from me’ programme by educating those who were influenced by bad behavior and felt the pinch, and having those youth share their experience with other young people living at Lugufu camp. Jacline is one of the students who was exposed to the effects of bad conduct and is now trying to influence change in her friends at Lugufu camp.

“Until now I have successfully managed to influence one boy who was using drugs. I explained to him about the dangers of using drugs and gave him examples of people who have been affected. Luckily, he understood me and slowly he stopped. He is now married,” she says, adding that, “I was surprised to see him transforming. I am happy with the positive changes I have caused in his life. Thank you World Vision for services that you provided in this refugees camp.”

World Vision has also improved the learning environment for kindergarten schools. Aluheba Sungula, who has two children, Marsella and Amuri, in kindergarten, speaks about the classrooms. “We thank World Vision because even if it rains our children are sheltered,” Aluheba says.

Naomy Emidi, another one of the neighbours, adds, “If not for World Vision, our children would have been ignorant. They have supported our children with quality education ensuring they are studying in a good environment.”

She says that nowadays children go to school with passion because of the improved learning environment.

“We thank World Vision because they support us. It is God who provided to them, and they give back to us,” Naomy concludes.