A heart for children: A humanitarian's journey

Hailing from eastern Uganda’s Jinja district, James Kamira, now 36, was raised by a single mother. Growing up in a household with five siblings was never easy.

“The struggles were many. My childhood was shrouded by episodes of violence that my mother underwent at home,” says James. “My father left us when I was just four years old, but as a small child, I vividly remember witnessing intense physical and emotional abuse.”

From a very young age, James assumed the role of a caretaker, shouldering family responsibilities.

“My mother worked very hard to make ends meet. She didn't have a stable job,” says James.
“She tried to find work, even if it was menial, wherever possible. I had to care for my siblings and help out with managing the household.”

Educating five children weighed heavily on James’ mother, but she did her best to provide for their basic needs.

“I saw her struggle to get me to school. There was never enough money to send us all. One time I nearly dropped out,” recalls James.

Infused with a strong will and unquenchable desire to succeed, James pressed on, determined not let his situation determine his destiny.

“I wanted to show to the world that, despite growing up in harsh circumstances, I could still be a compassionate, kind person with a good career and future,” says James. “I was set to prove that a person who has experienced pain coupled with abuse can become someone with positive influence.”

Putting his entrepreneurial skills to work, James struck a deal with the headmistress of his primary school, trading firewood for education.

“I was at home because there was no money to go to school, but I knew that my boarding school needed firewood,” says James. “So I started gathering firewood for three months. I earned enough money to pay for my first semester’s fees.”

The headmistress—inspired by James’ determination and zeal to study—contributed to his education fund. The money even paid for James’ brother to take his examinations.

Accolades soon started pouring in. James was honoured as the school’s best student and entrusted to teach junior children. The money he earned from teaching and winning the best student award enabled him to complete high school.

James aspired to be a doctor, particularly helping children. However, given limited finances and the need to support his family, he traded that dream and studied accounting at university on a government scholarship.

In 2007, James joined World Vision Uganda’s sponsorship and child protection team. While working, he pursued a Bachelor of Business Administration and later enrolled in a Masters in Advanced Child Protection in University of Kent in Canterbury, U.K.

A passionate advocate for children’s rights, James was asked to join the district advisory group and was appointed the child protection focal point for World Vision Uganda’s Kimu Area Development Programme.

In 2013, James was deployed to the Democratic Republic of Congo during the crisis involving refugees from South Sudan. In 2015, he was commissioned to launch World Vision’s South Sudan refugee response programme, coordinating with the UN and other INGOs on the ground. In June 2018, James joined World Vision’s Myanmar-Bangladesh Refugee Crisis Response Programme in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, where he serves as the organisation’s child protection lead.

“My career has always been driven by the need to serve children, especially the most vulnerable and those who have endured any form of abuse because growing up, I was one of those children,” says James. “When I see children who have been abused and witnessed horrific atrocities, I ask, ‘How can I be an example? How can I show these children that there is hope, despite their past experiences and present circumstances? This is what inspired me to become a humanitarian worker.”

Positive male role models are important for children, especially those living in conflict and instability. “Children need to know that the world can still produce men who are loving and compassionate,” says James. “Men who love other human beings and their families. Men who don't resort to violence and abuse as statements of power.”

As the child protection lead for World Vision’s work with the 890,000 refugees from Myanmar, James provides expertise on protection, specifically child protection and gender-based violence. More than 450,000 children live in the world’s largest refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. Having survived violence and abuse, many suffer from psycho-social distress.

“If we don’t address the protection issues now, then these children will become even more vulnerable to child marriage, child labour, trafficking and radicalisation,” says James.

While children are resilient, they need the structure and stimulation that education provides to help them recover and advance. Currently, formal education is not available to refugee children. World Vision runs 12 child-friendly spaces for children aged 5-12 in the camps. Almost 1,000 children attend these informal learning centres each week, where they can play, learn and gain a sense of normalcy in a safe, fun environment. 

“Children are looking for an opportunity to look ahead beyond their overwhelming ordeal,” says James, who supervises the centres. He believes education is key to their recovery.

World Vision and other NGOs are working with the Government of Bangladesh to reach more children with high-quality, inclusive education. James would also like to see a curriculae developed for the child-friendly spaces to help children transition to more formal education.

Reminded of his own youth, James is particularly concerned about the reported 117,000 adolescents who have no access to any kind of education or training.

“Their days are consumed with household chores, like collecting firewood and other petty jobs to get some money,” says James. “There is a mindset in the community that learning is only valuable for children under age 12.”

Whether in Africa or Asia, James believes children have the same need for hope. “They need to know that even with their dark past and dark stories, they can be optimistic,” he says. “As aid workers, it’s our responsibility to nurture these children who still have faith and belief in a humanitarian world.”

James Kamira is the Child Protection Lead for World Vision Myanmar-Bangladesh Refugee Crisis Response

Written by Annila Harris | Edited by Karen Homer | Photos by Himaloy Joseph Mree