Tongogara Refugee Settlement: A Home Away from Home
By Isheunesu Gwasha (Communications Graduate Intern)
Amani (real name withheld), a 25-year-old refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo, arrived at the Tongogara Refugee Settlement (TRS) in 2019, along with his two younger brothers, one aged 18 and 17. Their living conditions at the settlement were previously unsafe and uncomfortable, as they resided in a cramped one-roomed house.
Fortunately, World Vision Zimbabwe (WVZ), with support from Aktion Deutschland Hilft (ADH) and the Government of Zimbabwe, implemented the ADH Resilience Nexus Programming, encompassing Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH), Livelihoods, Shelter, and Peace Building initiatives. As part of this program, WVZ constructed 15 three-roomed houses specifically designed for unaccompanied minors, among which Amani and his siblings found accommodation.
According to Amani, their previous living arrangements posed significant risks to their safety, exposing them to various dangers such as encounters with dangerous animals, such as snakes and poisonous insects, as well as vulnerability to theft.
Amani vividly recounts a distressing incident when his younger brother was bitten by a scorpion, requiring urgent medical attention at a nearby clinic, which is also being supported by WVZ.
“At the moment when it happened, I thought I was losing him,” he narrated this disturbing account. The traumatic memories of rushing his brother to the clinic for treatment still resonate with Amani.
Further worsening their predicament were the extreme weather conditions. During the scorching summer months, the inside of their one-roomed house became unbearably hot, while in winter, the inadequate shelter left them subjected to the harsh weather conditions. The settlement is situated in the Eastern Highlands, an area in Zimbabwe that receives an average of 741 mm to 2,997 mm of rainfall per year (according to Zim Field Guide). Amani and his brothers often found themselves sleeping on moist floors due to water seeping into their home.
The new houses provided by WVZ not only offered improved living quarters, but also included essential amenities such as a toilet and access to clean, safe water from a nearby community tap located within a 200-meter radius.
Amani expressed immense relief, noting that the enhanced living conditions now allows him to feel secure about leaving his brothers at home while he is at work.
"When it got dark and I was still at work, I used to get worried about my younger brothers. I would often wonder if they were safe and what might happen to them. Now, I can travel for days without any concern because I know they are safe in our new home," Amani expressed confidently with a big smile on his face.
The positive impacts of WVZ’s interventions extended beyond the provision of housing. Amani shared that they now have a dedicated space for learning inside their new home. They have mounted a chalkboard and during his free hours, he diligently assists his brothers with schoolwork.
Amani expressed deep gratitude to WV Zimbabwe and the donors for providing him and his siblings with a home away from home and highlighting the transformative impact of their support on their lives. He however expressed a heartfelt wish that others in the settlement would have the opportunity to experience similar transformations.
Furthermore, WVZ’s support at TRS extended to a clinic where Amani’s brother received life-saving treatment. Additionally, WVZ rejuvenated a 50-hectare nutrition plantation, currently focusing on bean production, ensuring that refugees have access to food security while also providing them with a source of income through the sale of produce.