And here are some first impressions from the Mpaka refugee camp group.
Mpaka – Thu, 5th January
This is our second day at the refugee camp in Mpaka. And, it seems that we know the kids and they know us for a long time. The people here are so welcoming and kind to us. It seems that Hendrik and Justine (white and Blonde) are an alien breed to them. The kids keep on touching their arms, hairs, face and clothes. This refugee camp is not what you would expect. The houses are well built, they have television and electricity, and they have water.
Although, it looks like a really nice “place” to live in, but these people are facing enormous challenges of their own. They receive literally no help from UNHCR, the people here lack mission and motivation to construct their future, not because they are lazy to do it, but because they have no opportunities to do it. Every day, high-school graduates here wake up, eat, walk and then go to sleep. They don’t have any money to go to a college. They cannot even apply for scholarships because they are not Swazi citizens.
Some people have been living here for almost 10 years and their conditions are still the same as before. Andile had a conversation with some Somali and Tanzanian refugees who were very sad about their current situations. They said that there is very little food in the camp which most of the time is even insufficient to feed their own children. They have no jobs and no mission in their life. Even if they go out to search for a job, they don’t get it. The health situation in the camp is really disheartening as well; HIV is rampant, malaria is still present and malnourishment is at an alarming state. Because there are not other activities to do, sex and drugs are very common in the camp which leads to even more trouble.
Even though life here is hard, people here are very happy to see us. We have become friends with almost all the youth and kids. We have already given them a HIV/Aids awareness session and an English class. And, we are planning to arrange sessions on First Aid, Arts, Sports and Culture. This is an eye opening experience for all of us. We are learning new things every moment here.
Andile (Swaziland), Mariana (Brazil), Asad (Pakistan), Hendrik (Germany), Gabsile (Swaziland), Dalaya (Ethiopia), Justine (Canada), Sandhya (Germany), Damla (Turkey), Hope (Canada)
The Mpaka experience was really moving for me.You find so many talented youth in the camp,stack there not because they have noting to offer but because they have no opportunity and have no one to believe in them.We met John,a young refugee from Burundi who is so amazing when playing the Guitar.He does it with so much passion.When you hear him sing you would never guess he thought himself the art of music...Thank you John for the great music you shared with the team...The Youth and children of Mpaka have hope to live and so much to offer their community.They are hopeful and they are waiting...It is time to ask what we can do for them?Who is responsible for these refuges who have stayed in this "reception center" for years?What is their next step?How can we help them get a good education and good life?
ReplyDeleteDalaya