Ropani found hope and education amid crisis through university scholarship

Ropani found hope and education amid crisis through university scholarship

Ropani was a refugee from South Sudan when she arrived in Uganda. Now she’s studying for a bacherlor’s degree in accounting and finance.

Ropani Diana Peace was forced to flee her home country of South Sudan. It interrupted her education, but thanks to a scholarship initiative she was able to resume. Now at 20, she’s graduating from university and hopes to be able to create a stable life for her and her three-year-old son.

WHEN THE 2016 crisis swept through South Sudan, tearing families apart, Ropani’s family sought refuge in Uganda. They settled in the challenging landscape of Bidibidi settlement.

Her connection with Uganda was not new, she often used to take the night bus from Yei in South Sudan to Uganda, drawn by the belief that Uganda offered the best education. Her search for knowledge was a family legacy, fueled by her mother’s determination to provide the best opportunities for her eldest daughter.

When conflict broke out in South Sudan, Ropani found herself in Uganda once more, but this time not as a student traveling for education but as a refugee seeking safety. Bidibidi refugee settlement became her new home, a place where survival took precedence over dreams.

“In the confusion of moving to a new place,” Ropani says, “I had to rebuild my life and take care of my two sisters and newborn son.” But then, she explains, “I heard about a scholarship from the National Association of Partners.”

“At first, I wasn’t sure about applying because I had just become a mom,” Ropani admits. “But I decided to give it a try.”

Ropani received a university scholarship facilitated by Finn Church Aid and UNHCR and generously funded by the National Association of Partners (NAPS).

A woman in front of an FCA pullup banner.
Ropani visiting the FCA Acess Center office in Muyenga

“I got the scholarship, and it helped me with almost all of my expenses – tuition, a place to stay, a laptop, internet, and even some extra money for living”, she adds.

Having gotten a second chance, Ropani embarked on her academic journey at Uganda Christian University – Mukono, taking a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance

“The routine of sharing my end-of-semester results with UNHCR and FCA representatives became a ritual of gratitude and celebration,” she recalls. “Their praise and encouragement served as a constant reminder that my resilience in education were not in vain.” she adds.

As Ropani prepares to graduate, she carries with her the dreams of a stable life for her three-year-old son. Her motivation transcends personal achievements; it extends to the hope that education can break the chains of pain and shape a brighter future.

“The laptops, tuition, money, and other support from the National Association of Partners have not only helped me but have also shown others like me that there’s hope for a better life, even when we’re far from home.”

Text: Kadlah Nabakembo

Refugee students head from Uganda to Belgium

Four refugee students head from Uganda to Belgium thanks to EU-funded and transnational programme, supported by FCA

The Belgium EUPW Scholarship Programme is a collaborative effort between UNHCR Uganda, the Ugandan Government, the Government of Belgium, Finn Church Aid – Uganda, Université Catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), and Caritas Belgium.

This innovative initiative offers refugee students the opportunity to pursue master’s degrees at leading Belgian universities, with comprehensive support covering tuition, living expenses, accommodation, travel, language assistance, and orientation services.

Four exceptional refugee youth

In August 2024, four exceptional refugee youth were selected to pursue their studies in Belgium. They all fled the Democratic Republic of Congo at various times for Uganda due to the ongoing conflict and instability in the country.

Ruhamanga Mwami, 35, fled to Uganda in 2018. Starting a new life in a foreign land was tough, but he persevered. In the capital city, Kampala, he found work with an internet company, earning just enough to survive.

Determined to make a difference, Ruhamanga applied for the Belgium EUPW Scholars Program. He’s now pursuing a master’s in economics and social policies with the aim to return to DRC. His goal is to address social inequality through education.

A number of people pose in a meeting room holding the flat of the Democratic Republic of Congo
The four scholars being received in Belgium. L-R Morisho Kovokovo, Eliya Cigiriza, François Kalenga and Ruhamanga Mwami.

Eliya Cigieiza, 29, also fled DRC two years earlier in 2016. In his home country he studied geology, as well as being a student leader, but left behind his studies, family, and country, to seek refuge in Uganda. In Kampala, a church hosted him, and his enthusiasm inspired the senior pastor to start a youth engagement programme, leading to the creation of “Women and Children at Risk,” an organisation helping vulnerable individuals.

Eliya applied for the competitive Belgium EUPW Scholars Programme and was selected.  He is now pursuing a master’s in economics, determined to drive economic growth and empower African youth. “When we believe in the beauty of our dreams, we unleash the power to make them a reality,” he told FCA Uganda shortly before his departure to Belgium.

Morisho Kovokovo, 30, is a passionate anthropology enthusiast driven to make a positive impact. However, his home country’s insecurity and instability forced him to flee in 2023. Despite completing his degree in anthropology and securing a decent job, Morisho’s safety was at risk.

He made the difficult decision to leave behind his family, friends, and career to find refuge in Uganda. In Uganda, Morisho took a simple job at a research centre to survive. When he heard about the Belgium EUPW Scholars Program, Morisho applied and was selected. He’s now eager to pursue his master’s in Belgium, furthering his growth and dedication to making a difference in others’ lives. Morisho says, “My purpose is to serve others.” 

Francois Kalenga, 23, is set to pursue Economics at the Université Catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain) University. His ambitions are set high: he aims to become a pioneering entrepreneur and minister of economics, driving innovative solutions for his community. “Courage is the catalyst for success,” Francois asserts. “Securing this opportunity is the key to unlocking my dreams, and I’m ready to seize it with both hands.” 

EU scholarship is pilot in three countries

The EUPW (EU-Passworld) scholarship is a pilot project funded by the EU’s Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund and taking place in Belgium, Ireland and Italy. The aspiration is that the pathways implemented under EUPW will grow into self-sustaining national programmes after 2024, and to contribute to establishing similar initiatives in other countries.

Finn Church Aid played a key role in identifying and referring qualified candidates based on the program’s criteria. UNHCR provided strategic support through advocacy, verification, and vetting processes. FCA together with UNHCR Belgium and UNHCR Uganda facilitated the pre-departure formalities.

The Government of Belgium, Université Catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), and Caritas Belgium generously funded the program, covering tuition, living expenses, accommodation, travel, language assistance, and orientation services. These key stakeholders collectively enabled the scholars to enroll in top Belgian universities for their master’s degrees. 

Text: Kadlah Nabakembo 
Photos: Sozzi Daniel /UNHCR  

Uganda to Canada – refugees bring care experience to new continents

Uganda to Canada – refugees bring care experience to new continents

Baderha Pascal Mujombo and Jean Berikiimas Manirakiza, both refugees with experience in medicine and care, have embarked on a new chapter of their lives in Canada with help from FCA and its partners. Both came to the country as refugees, due to conflict and insecurity in their countries of origin.

Through the Complementary Pathways programme, Finn Church Aid (FCA), UNHCR, and Talent Beyond Boundaries (TBB) supported the pair in securing job placements with the opportunity to relocate with their families as Permanent Residents in Canada.  

Complementary Pathways are ways that a refugee can pursue work or study opportunities, reunite with family and apply for other visas just like any migrant, while being supported through their whole journey.

Through the labour mobility pathway, the programme identifies skilled refugees in Uganda, provides comprehensive support through Career Guidance and Counselling, and connects them with durable employment in third countries. Pascal and Jean, together with their families, have departed from Uganda and are now in Canada, where a new life awaits.

Pascal Mujombo: from Kyaka II to Canada

Pascal, a 40-year-old nurse, was forced to flee his home in the South Kivu region of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in 2017. The conflict that erupted near his home left him with no choice but to seek refuge in Uganda.

He has been living in Kyaka II refugee settlement with his wife and five children, the youngest just 2.5 years old.

Life in the settlement was far from easy, and despite his qualifications, Pascal faced significant barriers to practicing his profession.

A smiling man in a white dotted shirt poses for the camera. There are fields in the background.
Pascal is a trained nurse from DRC. Photo: Antti Yrjönen/FCA

“I got my medical training in DRC and worked there as a nurse for five years before fleeing to Uganda,” Pascal explains. “But here in Uganda, being a refugee means that even as a professional nurse, I can’t have a normal job. I haven’t been able to work as a nurse here, so I’ve been volunteering and providing nutritional counselling within the community.”

Pascal enrolled in the Complementary Pathways program, a rigorous process that took more than 1.5 years to complete. Throughout this time, he remained determined, knowing that the opportunity to move to Canada could change his life and that of his family.

“Getting the opportunity to go to Canada through the Complementary Pathways program will change my life,” he says. “My children will get the chance to attend good schools, and we’ll finally have enough to eat once I start earning a real salary.”

A long process was worth the wait

The process was not without its challenges. Pascal faced countless interviews and a long wait, but he never gave up. “It’s been a long process to get this far, and it’s challenged my patience,” he admits. “But it was worth the wait. I have a job waiting across the ocean, and I’ll be paid for that. My family and I will finally be safe.”

Pascal’s wife, is equally excited about the future. “I’m thrilled to be going to Canada,” she shares. “It’s a dream come true for our family. We know it will be different and far from what we know, but we believe everything will go well.”

A family of three adults and five children are laughing in a courtyard. They are all wearing IOM lanyards
Pascal and family in Uganda before departure at the offices of the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Photo: Linda Kabuzire/FCA

In Canada, Pascal will work as an assisting nurse in an elderly care home, a job that aligns with his passion for patient care. “Being an assisting nurse includes tasks like taking care of patients’ personal hygiene, helping them get dressed, taking them out for fresh air, and ensuring they eat well and take their medication,” he explains. “I’m proud to be a professional, and the most important part of my job is making my patients feel taken care of.”

While Pascal looks forward to his new role, he is also planning for the future. “I hope to complement my studies in Canada at some point and eventually obtain my nurse’s permit,” he says. “I’m also hoping to make enough money to support my brothers who will continue living as refugees here in Uganda. Maybe one day, I’ll be able to help other refugees too.”

The journey ahead is filled with hope, but it also comes with a deep sense of responsibility. “Giving up was not an option for me,” Pascal says. “My advice to anyone dreaming of the same opportunity? You need to have patience. You’re competing for these jobs with others, and being a refugee doesn’t make you any less qualified or capable. Believe in yourself.”

Jean Manirakiza: from Nakivale to a new beginning

Jean Berikiimas Manirakiza’s journey began in Congo, where he was born, but conflict forced his family to flee to Burundi when he was just five years old. It was in Burundi that Jean grew up and completed his education, eventually earning a degree in general medicine.

“I studied at the School of Clinical Officers, Nursing, and Midwifery, and later earned my degree in general medicine,” Jean recalls. “After finishing my studies, I returned to Congo, but the war broke out again, and I had to flee to Uganda.”

Arriving in Uganda alone after losing his family in the conflict, Jean found refuge in Nakivale refugee settlement. In 2013, he began to rebuild his life when he married and started a family. He and his wife now have two children, a son and a daughter, who have grown up in the settlement.

A man sits at a desk with study materials and a laptop. He is smiling at the camera. In the background a woman stands smiling while holding a small child.
Maniraiza Jean Berchmans with his wife Janet Mukanyirange Manirakiza and baby Kenneth at their home in Nakivale. Photo: Hugh Rutherford/FCA

Despite his qualifications and experience, Jean faced significant obstacles in finding employment.

“Even with my qualifications, I couldn’t get a job because I wasn’t able to obtain a work permit due to my studies being completed outside of Uganda,” he explains. “But I remained committed to my passion for medicine and volunteered with humanitarian agencies in Nakivale.”

Jean’s life took a turn for the better when he attended a career guidance session organised by FCA. There, he learned about the opportunities available through the Complementary Pathways program and applied to move to Canada. With the support of FCA, UNHCR, and TBB, Jean was selected for an employment opportunity in Canada as a Personal Support Worker.

“I’m very excited to be going to Canada to work,” Jean says with enthusiasm. “I’m happy to go to a place where I can work and live with my family for my whole life. It’s a blessing that I haven’t been separated from them.”

Not just a move to safety

Jean is optimistic about his future in Canada, where he plans to further his education and ensure his children have access to quality schooling. “My plans for the future include adding more to my education and ensuring my children attend good schools,” he shares. “This move is not just about finding safety; it’s about securing a future for my family.”

The cold climate of Canada, which might intimidate others, doesn’t worry Jean. “I was born in a cold place, so I believe I’ll be able to adjust,” he says.

“I’m not sad to leave Nakivale because I’ve spent a lot of time here. While I will miss it, I’m going to a better place.”

Jean’s family shares his excitement. “My wife couldn’t believe the news until we got all the travel documents and confirmed we were leaving,” Jean says. “I hope to meet nice people in Canada,” Jean adds. “This is a new beginning for us, and I’m ready to embrace it.”

A family of four stand in a courtyard. Two adults smile at the camera holding the hands of two small children. They are all wearing IOM lanyards.
Jean Manirakiza and his family before departure. Photo: Linda Kabuzire/FCA

FCA and partners work together to link refugees to jobs abroad

The successful relocation of Pascal and Jean to Canada is a results of collaborative efforts bewteen Finn Church Aid, UNHCR, and Talent Beyond Boundaries. These organisations work together to identify skilled refugees in Uganda and link them to employment opportunities in third countries. The employment pathways provided by these organisations offer extensive support to refugees, ensuring that they are well-prepared for their new lives in the third country

The support includes candidate outreach and information dissemination for current opportunities, identification for job opportunities on the TBB Talent Catalogue, and Career Guidance and Counselling to enable refugees achieve their professional goals. FCA also plays a crucial role in the pre-departure processing, including the acquisition of Conventional Travel Documents (CTDs), which many refugees often lack, visa processing, and pre-departure cultural orientation.

This comprehensive support system ensures that refugees like Pascal and Jean are not only able to secure employment but are also equipped to integrate successfully into their new communities.

Text: Linda Kabuzire
Main Photo: Hugh Rutherford

Read another story of a couple working their way from Uganda to New Zealand

Refugee couple work their way from Congo to New Zealand

Refugee couple work their way from Congo to New Zealand through FCA and UNHCR complementary pathways programme

A family of four cuddle on a sofa
Erick and Diane and their two children in Uganda before they left for New Zealand.

Erick and Diane fled DRC for Uganda when faced with ethnic persecution. Starting with selling street food, the couple worked tirelessly for nearly ten years in different jobs before applying for a UNHCR programme with FCA help that saw them move to New Zealand.

Text: Kadlah Nabakembo
Photos shared by: Erick Mokuma Mombole

‘Leaving Congo was not a choice, it was a necessity’

Erick Mokuma Mombole is a Congolese national born in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Conflict stemming from tribal and religious divisions forced him to seek refuge and rebuild his life with his wife Diane.

The move was significant because Erick, who is from an ethnic minority from the west, married Diane, from the east while living there. The M23 rebel movement‘s rise created tensions and suspicion towards Erick, an “outsider” in the region. Their inter-ethnic marriage and Erick’s presence in the east were likely seen as a threat, leading to mistreatment and forcing them to flee.

Diane has a Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Pharmacy and Erick has a degree in Information Technology. One Sunday afternoon, Erick came home asked Diane to get her academic documents as he also put together his. And just like that, under a grey sky, they took their last walk through their village, leaving everything behind. “Leaving Congo was not a choice, it was a necessity,” Erick says.

Their escape led them to Kisoro, Uganda, where they boarded an old truck, its cargo hold filled with cattle.  Erick and Diane traversed bumpy roads, wondering how, when and if they would make it across the border. “It was the longest journey of my life,” Erick recalls, highlighting the physical and emotional pain.

Arrival in Uganda

At the Kampala police station, Erick and Diane found themselves waiting for an entire day and night. Directed to the office of the prime minister, they registered as refugees pending approval and were soon guided to the Jesuit Refugee Services in Nsambya. As they arrived, the staff quickly noticed that Diane was pregnant and arranged for her to receive care at the city hospital in the Kisenyi neighbourhood.

Their next task was to find a place to stay. Despite the challenges, a kind-hearted gentleman from the police helped them secure a one-room accommodation in the Bakuli neighbourhood in Kampala, at a cost of 70,000 Uganda shillings (approximately 18 US dollars).

It wasn’t luxurious, but they were grateful just to have a roof over their heads. The room proved to be a mixed blessing—too cold at night and unbearably hot during the day. Jesuit Refugee Services met their immediate needs. They received support for a month, along with basic necessities and a sum of 100,000 shillings (approximately 26 US dollars) for their upkeep for three months.

Settling into life in Bakuli, Erick and Diane found relief in the kindness of their neighbors. Despite their own challenges, the neighbors allowed Erick and Diane to wash their clothes at theirs for a small fee. With determination, they managed to save up some money and invested in a small waffle machine to make pancakes. They sold their waffles to the people who had helped them: the Jesuit Refugee Services; the Uganda Police in Old Kampala; and the Office of the Prime Minister, because those were the only places known to them.

The couple welcome a baby

In May 2014, Erick and Diane welcomed their son, Tylor. Despite the good news, challenges continued. Erick found himself working tirelessly to sustain their family making and selling pancakes and waffles to make ends meet. “These were hard times,” Erick recalls, “but something inside me kept me going. I knew and believed that in the end, it would be well.” In that small room, Erick and Diane felt safe. They didn’t have much, just a few things, but they held onto each other and stayed strong. Even when things were hard, their love kept them going, like a light in the dark. “Diane almost gave up, but I had a driving force pushing me to continue working,” Erick recalled.

During Erick’s days of selling waffles, a customer noticed his determination and inquired about his education. When Erick mentioned his bachelor’s degree in computer and management, the customer introduced him to a company in downtown Kampala, who were willing to give him a chance based on his computer knowledge. With no desk to call his own, Erick found himself working outside the shop, running errands and helping out wherever he could. At the end of each day, they would compensate him with 20,000 shillings (approximately 5 dollars). After four months of hard work, Erick and Diane decided to invest their savings in an HP laptop. With this new tool, Erick committed himself into learning graphics, web design, and editing for his colleagues, all without any cost.

“It was tough at first, but I knew I had to keep pushing forward,” Erick recalls, reflecting on those early days.

A chance for Diane

Through dedication and practice, Erick quickly mastered his skills and began attracting his own clients. Soon enough, he joined forces with three others to open a shop, sharing the rental costs. They split the monthly fee of 350,000 shillings (approximately 92 dollars) amongst them. The new entrepreneurial endeavour also reaped benefits for Erick’s wife.

“While at work, I made numerous connections, one of which led to a significant opportunity for Diane,” Erick recounts, a sense of pride evident in his voice.

A friend of Erick was seeking a multilingual translator for Techno Brain, a global digital consultancy. With Diane’s proficiency in English, French, and Swahili, Erick made the connection, securing her a daily pay totaling 500,000 shillings per month (approximately 132 US dollars).

A woman and a man pose for a photo. They are holding a certificate, which bears the women's name - Diane Nizeyimana
Diane worked hard at her company, Techno Brain, which ultimately led to a chance to move to New Zealand, via a UNHCR programme.

“With Diane’s skills, I knew she would excel in this role,” Erick reflects, recalling his confidence in his wife’s abilities.

With Diane and Erick both employed, they decided to move to a one-bedroom house in Namungoona, paying a monthly rent of 150,000 (approximately 40 dollars) shillings.  Despite the challenges, Diane persevered, even when faced with ridicule from her coworkers for her English skills. Although she was fluent in English, her strong accent sounded different and was mocked. Erick stood by her side, encouraging her to keep learning and improving, and his support helped her to stay motivated and confident. Diane kept learning and in a few years had seven different language under her belt.

“It wasn’t easy, but we knew we had to keep moving forward,” Erick shares, his voice filled with determination.

UNHCR programme

A special moment arrived when Techno Brain introduced a refugee helpline in partnership with UNHCR. The organization offered Diane a contract for a new role that required fluency in English, Kinyarwanda, French, and Lingaala. As chance would have it, Diane was the only candidate at Techno Brain who possessed this unique combination of language skills, making her ideal for the position.

As Erick and Diane established their new life in Namungoona, a quiet suburb far from the city’s hustle and bustle, they found comfort in the warmth of their humble home. Though distance separated them from their loved ones, they persevered, with only Diane’s sister nearby to share in their joys and sorrows. “We longed to share our happiness with our families, but they were far away,” Erick said wistfully. “Our families were divided by cultural and religious differences, which only served to widen the gap between us,” Erick reflected with sadness.

Their son, Tylor, began attending school in Namungoona, marking a new chapter in their lives and in 2018, they managed to secure a two-bedroom apartment, a significant step up from their previous accommodation.

Financial challenges met with kindness

Erick’s business endeavors had starting bringing in substantial profits. With money in his pocket, his dream of buying a car was fulfil. “It was not safe for us on boda boda (motorcycle taxis commonly found in East Africa),” Erick recounted. “The costs and risks were too high due to reckless drivers and many other issues.” But just four weeks into buying the car, COVID-19 pandemic abruptly halted their plans for further investment. A car purchase, once seen as a symbol of success, became a burden as lockdown restrictions rendered it immobile.

While the entire world was on a lockdown, the couple experienced financial challenges, their landlord at home displayed compassion by reducing their rent, alleviating some of their financial strain. “Oh God bless her,” Erick expressed gratitude. “She reduced the cost of my rent from 500,000 to 200,000 monthly so that I could afford it.”

After enduring several miscarriages, Erick’s wife, Diane, finally welcomed another baby into their family, bringing them joy as a family of four. The journey to get there was long and difficult, with each miscarriage requiring costly visits to specialists to identify the underlying causes, further straining their finances. The struggle to conceive again was equally challenging, with numerous doctor’s visits and expensive treatments. Recalling the compassion of their landlord during those difficult times, Erick reflected on the financial strain caused by the loss of pregnancies, which had even led to the loss of his business.

Forced to start afresh, he returned to his roots, where supportive friends welcomed him back with open arms. Despite the hardships, the arrival of their new baby brought them immense joy and a sense of redemption, making their journey worthwhile.

The struggles persisted as Erick was forced to sell his beloved car at a significant loss. He used the proceeds to pay off debts and cover essential expenses, helping them stay afloat during a difficult period. In 2018, they discovered the Complementary Pathways Labour Mobility programme, which offered a glimmer of hope. They independently applied for the programme, facilitated by FCA, which provided invaluable training and support, including CV writing skills, to enhance their employability and potentially secure a brighter future.

Move to New Zealand

In June 2023, Erick received a call from UNHCR, revealing an exciting opportunity to relocate to New Zealand. Upon sharing the news with his wife, they both celebrated their luck in being selected for the same programme.

The family’s journey saw further upgrades when they were selected for a labor mobility program in New Zealand. This opportunity marked a new chapter, promising a fresh start with government support, furnished accommodation, and educational opportunities. It was a dream come true, especially after enduring numerous hardships, including financial struggles and personal losses.

FCA Uganda had the fortunate opportunity to meet a hopeful and enthusiastic Erick, along with his son Tylor, just a few days before they were set to leave for New Zealand. Erick was filled with hope and eagerly anticipated starting anew with his family in New Zealand, where they have since settled and found satisfaction.

“Our journey from Congo to Uganda and now to New Zealand could never be better. A private sponsor from the Anglican Church, along with the UNHCR and Finn Church Aid, all played a crucial role in our journey.”

Finn Church Aid played a critical initial role by identifying qualified candidates and referring them based on New Zealand’s criteria.

UNHCR took on a collaborative and strategic role by advocating for these candidates, conducting verification and carrying out the vetting processes, it also analyzed the family composition to ensure they met the necessary criteria. They collaborated with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to manage pre-departure formalities and support the candidates.

The private sponsors contributed by providing opportunities that will allow candidates make professional contributions to the host country and engage in meaningful work which help expand the tax base. Together, these three main players significantly contributed to enabling Erick and Diane, refugees with potential to secure employment and transform their futures.

Three grown-ups and a child sit on a bench outside
Erick, Diane and the family enjoying a city tour as part of their onboarding and orientation to their new life in New Zealand

Where to find the courage to help during crises?

Aid workers at the core of crises – where to find the courage to help?

FCA staff in Ukraine, South Sudan and Syria face seemingly insurmountable challenges every day.

Text: Ruth Owen

WORKING IN CRISIS CONDITIONS means frequent threats to your safety and a constant challenge to your mental well-being. In this story, three FCA Country Directors share the unique challenges they face in their work amid conflict and humanitarian crises. They also reveal what inspires and motivates them to continue their work despite the challenges.

In the picture, a man standing in the middle of the buildings in the courtyard points his finger at something behind the photographer.
Seme Nelson, Country Director of Church Aid South Sudan, is motivated to see the change that his work brings. “Every time we witness a change, for example among children going to school, I get the feeling that our work is contributing to social change, improving people’s lives and opportunities to claim their rights.” Photo by Ulriikka Myöhänen / FCA

“Every time I come to work, I know that what I do has a direct impact on other people”

Seme Nelson studied peace, conflict and development studies at universities on three different continents. However, he decided to return to his native South Sudan, where he now heads the FCA’s Country Office.

“The challenges in South Sudan are manifold. The country is unstable and its economy is fragile. Many live in poverty, exacerbated by conflict, refugees and war in neighbouring Sudan.

South Sudan was basically founded on a background and legacy of violent conflict and internal civil wars. It’s continued to affect the entire stability of the state. We have also faced threats to our security at FCA. Our Pibor office was ransacked by local people in 2016 amongst widespread attacks on NGOs. And in 2022 our Fangak office destroyed fighting between armed groups, but our staff remain, as do I.

In 2020, I considered remaining in Japan, where I did my master’s degree. But I considered whether what I do would make a significant difference to people’s lives or not. When I remain here in South Sudan, every time I come to work, there is a very direct connection between what I do and how it impacts people.

What has continued to push our staff to continue to work despite the difficulties and challenges is the impact that our programme makes on the people. Every time you see these beautiful stories of change. From young people, mothers, kids who are able to go to school. You feel like our work is contributing to transforming societies, improving people’s access to livelihoods and helping citizens demand their rights.

When the Sudanese conflict broke out in 2022, a lot of Sudanese fled to South Sudan along with former South Sudanese refugees who decided to return to their country. At present, I think only five per cent of these refugees from Sudan are living in refugee camps or settlements inside South Sudan. Probably 80 per cent of them are housed by South Sudanese – people who have decided to open their homes to welcome Sudanese refugees to share the little that they have. The media always wants to document stories of suffering, of desperations, but for me I think we should highlight positive stories like these more.
 
Yes, my country is founded on a story of conflict and desperation – the process of state building has almost started from zero. But if we look at the infrastructural transformation of the country from 2005 when the second civil war ended, there has been a tremendous growth process. The country has a city called Juba that we’re proud of today, that never even existed before! Regardless the situation of desperation in this country, the generosity, strength and courage of people is something worth acknowledging.

“It is important to distinguish between political problems and solidarity with people who are suffering”

Mazen Khzouz’s home is in Jordan, but his work requires him to spend long periods away from his family. As FCA Country Director for Syria, he believes it is important for him to be close to the communities he works with.

A man with an FCA lanyard around his neck looks at the camera
Mazen Khzouz, FCA Country Director for Syria. Photo by Mohammed al-Masrab

“I’m not the kind of person who’s satisfied with only doing the basic in my life. I need to do more. I need to be closer to people who I serve.

Syria is suffering the effects of a long conflict, economic collapse and a devastating earthquake. The country is under severe sanctions, which are contributing to the impoverishment of the population and increasing suffering. Sanctions have led to a lack of access to all basic necessities and a lack of money. Prices have skyrocketed, purchasing power has been eroded and unemployment is very high. An estimated 90% of Syrians now live below the poverty line. The cost of living has more than doubled since 2023, as measured by the Minimum Expenditure Basket.

The security situation in Syria has improved in relative terms compared to the most difficult years of the conflict. Humanitarian actors are now in a better position to reach vulnerable groups. However, the security situation remains volatile and new outbreaks of violence are possible. Sporadic attacks, inter-group clashes and multiple checkpoints between population centres can also slow down progress in the areas where the FCA’s work is taking place. Journeys to schools and communities can take as long as three or four hours.

Social tensions increase during disasters. It gets frustrating when some people get help and others don’t, even though many need it. Tensions are also a risk for our employees. To mitigate them and ensure staff safety, we build strong relationships with community leaders and local actors.

When we understand that people are struggling to meet their basic needs – to feed and clothe their children – it is easy to understand their strong reactions. We at FCA Syria wish we could do more and reach even more of those in need.

All our employees are Syrian. Staff members have lost loved ones in war, earthquake and even cholera. It is common for one of our staff to help at least two or three other relatives or households with their income.

My family back in Jordan are wondering how much I can endure from the situation, but the proximity to the country helps a lot. I explain to my family we have a strong evacuation plan and I give them assurance that we are safe.

The media constructs a certain image of Syria, which influences the perceptions and opinions about the people and that’s a very big mistake. We need to differentiate between people who are suffering and whatever problems there may be in the political domain.

The Syrian people do not deserve to be mistreated. They are human beings. They have children. They deserve to live a decent life as much as you and I do.”

A woman is standing in front of the camera being interviewed by a television crew.
Patricia Maruschak, who grew up in Canada’s Ukrainian diaspora, returned to her roots in Ukraine when FCA was looking for a Country Director for its office in the war-torn country. Photo by Antti Yrjönen / KUA

“I miss my family, but I want to see Ukraine prosper and be free”

Patricia Maruschak is the granddaughter of Ukrainian immigrants to Canada and grew up in the Ukrainian diaspora. She lived and worked in Ukraine from 2006 to 2010, before returning in 2022 to head up the FCA Ukraine office.

Ukraine has been at full since its neighbour Russia invaded in 2022. Frequent air alarms across the country, when there is a threat of attack, lead to constant disruptions to daily life. This impacts greatly on children’s education and their psychological wellbeing, as well of that of their teachers.

Recently in Chernihiv, one of the schools where we have done repairs was damaged because there was a bombing very close to the school. The alarm went off, everyone went downstairs, and were standing for the daily moment of silence for the fallen. During that moment there were three huge explosions close by. Everyone had to immediately lie on the ground, the children were very scared. It’s the teachers’ job to keep them calm in a situation that’s uncertain for everyone. In the meantime, people from the street were also trying to get into the shelter.

All over the country, when an air alarm goes off, everyone has to go into the shelter. Teachers have to try and continue with learning where sometimes there’s no separation for classes. Imagine trying to continue a lesson with 7 or 8 year olds when there are now another 100 children in the room!

We train teachers in ‘psychological first aid’ to help children in the moment. Then we also train them in ongoing mental health support for kids, who have had trauma experiences, or have family members who are away fighting or have returned severely injured and have their own traumas. And then we also help teachers take care of themselves with coping strategies.

Many of our staff never worked in NGOs previously, coming mainly from the business community, but now they’re proud to be helping fellow Ukrainains.

Our procurement officer was an IDP (Internally Displaced Person) at the beginning of the war, because her community was occupied by Russian troops for a while. Meanwhile, our head psychologist has been displaced twice, firstly from Donetsk due to Russian occupation in 2014 and then from the south-east of the country when the fullscale war began in 2021. It’s not just a job for our people, it’s also their life.

I miss my family a lot. But there are clear needs here and the ability to make an impact in Ukraine is very high. We work with capable and experienced Ukrainian education experts. It’s a pleasure and a good challenge to work alongside them and personally, I want to see Ukraine succeed and be free and capable of making its own choices.”

Seme, Mazen and Patricia will speak at the World Village Festival in Helsinki on 25 May 2024.

‘Talent Has No Borders’: Na’amal and FCA launch report on connecting refugees to digital livelihoods

‘Talent Has No Borders’: Na’amal and FCA launch report on connecting refugees to digital livelihoods

A group of young people pose for a photo. Text reads "Talent has no borders". The logos of Na'amal and FCA are visible.

Finn Church Aid (FCA) and social enterprise, Na’amal, launched a pioneering joint report titled ‘Talent has No Borders: Creating Connections For Refugees and other Displaced People to Decent Digital Livelihoods’.

THE STUDY, co-authored by Lorraine Charles, Executive Director at Na’amal, Dr. Shuting Xia, Julieta Guzmán, and Sonia Catinean, delves into the current landscape of digital livelihoods for refugees and displaced individuals. It explores the challenges they face and identifies key strategies and initiatives to facilitate their access to digital work opportunities, with the ultimate goal of empowering refugees and promoting their economic integration.

The study revealed that while a diverse array of stakeholders are actively contributing to a thriving ecosystem to engage refugees in digital employment, significant challenges persist. These include inconsistent job opportunities, infrastructure and connectivity issues, and regulatory uncertainties surrounding refugees’ legal right to work remotely. The report underscores the importance of collaboration among programmes and organisations to maximize impact and develop comprehensive employment approaches tailored to the unique needs of refugee digital workers.

Employing a robust scoping approach, the study includes key informant interviews with various stakeholders, including organizations providing support, companies employing refugees remotely, and refugee workers themselves. These interviews offered valuable insights from firsthand experiences, enabling a deeper understanding of the subject matter.

The report underscores the active roles played by various stakeholders in advancing digital livelihoods for displaced individuals, including international organizations, national entities, social enterprises, NGOs, and the private sector. Within the expansive digital livelihood landscape, these stakeholders assume diverse roles, collaborating and relying on each other to cultivate a flourishing digital employment ecosystem. Despite challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, internet connectivity, digital skills gaps, and limited access to work opportunities, stakeholders have launched initiatives to bolster refugee support.

Karim Bin-Humam from UNHCR talked with digital workers, who are also refugees at a webinar to launch the report.

Report launch webinar saw refugees tell their stories of digital work

An online webinar saw refugee and digital experts come together to discuss the report, lessons learned and the way forward. Sonia Catinean, Programme Manager at Na’amal shed light on the obstacles refugees encounter when seeking digital employment, such as the need for proper infrastructure, including stable internet connection and personal laptops. Catinean also stressed the importance of valid documentation for refugees to receive payments and emphasized the crucial role of soft skills training in preparing them for remote work.

A highlight of the webinar was the panel discussion moderated by Karim Bin-Humam, Digital Livelihoods Consultant at UNHCR Innovation, where refugees shared their experiences accessing digital livelihoods. The panelists included three talented individuals who have participated in Na’amal’s digital skilling programs: Susan Achiech, a software developer; Ukech Daniel Uboa, who has earned income through the microwork platform Appen; and Esperance Mukiza, a healthcare professional seeking to enter digital employment.

Abdi Hamisi Ambari, Tech and Comms Lead at Na’amal, introduced the newly formed Na’amal Agency. This innovative initiative aims to effectively bridge the gap between displaced talent and remote work opportunities while providing support to further develop their technical and professional skills.

Watch the ‘Talent has No Borders’ webinar that launched the report on 17 April 2024

Digital livelihoods can empower refugees

Organisations like Na’amal and FCA, which invest in digital livelihoods are advocating daily for government cooperation. They engage with stakeholders across sectors to devise solutions. Initiatives such as portable internet connectivity devices, upskilling programs, and mentorship opportunities address specific needs.

Career development support, apprenticeships, and entrepreneurship training also empower refugees to access digital work opportunities. And e-commerce platforms significantly promote e-business entrepreneurship among displaced populations by providing invaluable resources, training, and access to pertinent materials.

“Digital livelihoods offer a powerful way to economically empower refugees, but significant barriers remain,” said Lorraine Charles, Executive Director of Na’amal. “This report provides an in-depth look at the current landscape and identifies key practices to help more refugees build decent careers in the digital economy. We hope the insights spur action among humanitarian organizations, NGOs, social enterprises and the private sector to expand digital livelihood opportunities for refugees everywhere.”

As global displacement hits record levels – digital livelihoods can help

Digital livelihoods offer a promising solution to the economic hardships faced by refugees but entail addressing various challenges. Inconsistent availability of digital employment opportunities often disappoints refugees seeking online work. Infrastructure, connectivity, and access to devices are critical prerequisites requiring attention. Regulatory uncertainties and fragmented upskilling programs further complicate matters. Addressing these challenges is crucial to ensuring that digital livelihoods empower refugees sustainably.

As the global displacement crisis reaches unprecedented levels, the potential of digital livelihoods in empowering refugees and promoting their economic integration is clearer than ever. The ‘Talent has No Borders’ report provides crucial recommendations for stakeholders to strengthen collaboration, develop refugee-tailored support programs, and engage employers to create more opportunities. By fostering cooperation, providing comprehensive support, and engaging with key stakeholders, FCA and Na’amal are committed to working towards a more inclusive digital economy that empowers displaced people to find decent work and shape brighter futures.

The full report can be accessed here.

To learn more, visit FCA’s topic page on technical and vocational education and training (TVET) and Na’amal’s website.

“I was allowed to return to school” – EU-funded INCLUDE project makes sure refugee students aren’t left behind.

“I was allowed to return to school” – EU-funded INCLUDE project makes sure refugee students in Uganda aren’t left behind.

A young woman in a white shirt and
Ujumbe Murujiza, from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) attends Rwamwanja Secondary School.

For children in refugee settlements, access to quality education is not just hampered by lack of schools. Lack of money, family support or basic hygiene supplies must all be overcome to make sure they can attend class.

Yet, refugee and vulnerable children are excelling in FCA supported schools. With funding from the European Union, FCA works in Uganda with Save the Children, Norwegian Refugee Council, Humanity and Inclusion and War Child Holland on the INCLUDE project.

RWAMWANJA AND KYAKA II refugee settlements are home to approximately 1,611,732 refugees and 48,792 asylum seekers. 949,598 of them are children. Many have fled violent conflicts, losing family members and parents. Refugee and host community children attend school side by side in the settlements, but with a large mix of nationalities and backgrounds, it’s tough for teachers to tend to every child’s needs.

Moreover, families are often without stable income. That means little food to aid concentration or no money to buy school supplies. In the case of one girl, it almost led to her dropping out of school to support her family.

A school yard with adults and children walking
Students and teachers take a break at Bukere Secondary School in Kyaka, Uganda.

Cash for education supports children staying in school

Ujumbe Murujiza, an 18-year-old refugee hailing from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), is currently enrolled in Senior Two at Rwamwanja Secondary School. But she might have not got this far.

She has eight siblings and her mother struggled to provide after their father abandoned the family.

“Life at home was unbearable,” Ujumbe recalls. “My mother, who often fell sick, struggled to make ends meet by working in community gardens.”

“My brothers had to collect empty bottles for sale just to help us survive,” Ujumbe explained. “I almost left school to work as a maid in Kampala district because we needed money.”

On discovering her plan, Ujumbe’s mother contacted FCA Uganda’s local field office. The Child Protection team met with the family and were enrolled in the Cash for Education programme, as part of the INCLUDE project.

“This support was a miracle for us,” Ujumbe reflects. “It covered school fees, uniforms, and even helped put food on our table.”

The INCLUDE project aims to be versatile and adaptive to the needs of the family in order to support the child’s return to and remaining in school. That’s why it covers diverse interventions, ranging from cash for education to ensuring access to nutritious meals through a school meals programme. It also promotes menstrual hygiene management and reproductive health awareness for both sexes to help children support each other to stay in school.

“I want to become a doctor in the future,” Ujumbe shares with unwavering determination. “After finishing school and getting money, I can support my family and build a better future.”

School meals programme boosts concentration in class

A proper meal can be make or break for a child to concentrate in school. Sometimes, it’s the only meal of the day a child might receive.

At Kikurura Primary School, the INCLUDE project helped start a programme where parents provide food for the students. The project gave out farming supplies like seeds, tools, and fertilisers. The school community worked together to grow crops on a 2-acre piece of land. They harvested 200 kilograms of maize, which helped feed the students.

Students sit around a table in a classroom. They are all drinking from colourful mugs
A proper meal can be make or break for a child to concentrate in school.

The school relies on the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) for support. To make sure all 1,267 students have enough to eat, the school talked with parents at the start of the 2024 term. They decided that each parent would give an extra 3 kilograms of maize to add to the school’s harvest.

This collective initiative ensures that every student at Kikurura Primary School receives a daily cup of porridge.

 “I no-longer feel hungry during school time and attend all the lessons,” says Shillah, a P7 student , while her classmate Aloysious told us, “many of my classmates no longer have to miss classes because of hunger. I have also noticed that my fellow students no longer steal food from others,”

Menstrual hygiene support helps girls stay in class

As a 15-year-old pupil at Rwamwanja Primary School, Francine’s education journey was marred by the lack of sanitary pads during her menstrual cycle.

“My schooling was tough, especially during my periods,” she explained. “I didn’t have sanitary pads, so I often missed class,” she says.

“I remember using small pieces of my mother’s old clothes,” she continues. “But blood would pass through, and I would get infections.”

FCA provided her reusable pads as well as lessons about menstrual cycle management. The construction of clean and safe hygiene facilities are also key.

“Our school has a proper changing room with soap and water. If I have my period during school, I can freshen up and attend class comfortably.”

Something that has also helped the girls is including the boys in the learning process.

“Everyone, including the boys, supports us girls during our periods,” Francine explains, recalling a kind act from a classmate. “Once, I needed help, and a boy offered me his sweater to cover up. It made me realise I’m not alone.”

“Now, I’m not worried about my periods anymore,” Francine asserts confidently. I feel confident I’ll achieve my dream of becoming a nurse and helping my family and community.”

Eric, a refugee from Burundi, topped the exams in Kyaka settlement

Eric Niyitegeka’s family fled violence in Burundi and settled in Kyaka II refugee settlement. He was keen to restart his schooling, but had missed out on crucial phases in his education.   

FCA’s Secondary Accelerated Education Programme (AEP) was designed for children like Eric to help them catch up with their peers and the national curriculum in a supportive environment sensitive to the needs of refugee and vulnerable children.

A young man stands on a path between neat border rows of plants. School buildings stand either side.
Eric topped his class during exams.

Eric worked incredibly hard, attending classes regularly and engaging actively in his studies. During the Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) examinations in 2023 he came out top of the programme.

“The support I received during the programme was amazing. I was allowed to return to school. I was also given cash for my school fees and scholastics. I no longer had to worry about money, so I concentrated in class. I am hopeful that I will join the advanced level of education where I want to study Physics, Chemistry and Maths since I want to become an engineer in future. I am deeply thankful for the generosity of FCA and its donors,” he says.                 

Career guidance offers hope for the future

Keeping students in school is not only a case of providing for their material needs. Children and teenagers need inspiration and hope for their futures. FCA’s pioneering career guidance programmes have been adopted in several countries, not least in our supported schools in Uganda, as part of INCLUDE.

Two people are sitting at a large table in a room and having what looks like a serious conversation. An FCA banner with a EU logo stands to the side.
Career guidance can make a huge impact on teenagers.

Acinath Bamurebe, a student at Bukere Secondary School, explains the impact they’ve made:

“I used to feel confused when thinking about what I wanted to do in the future. Many of us felt this way too. But thanks to our mentors, things started to become clearer. I was only in school because my friends were, not because I saw a bright future ahead. However, attending these sessions helped me think about what I’m good at and what I enjoy. The activities and talks from my teachers and mentors helped me understand myself better and decide what I want to do in the future.”           

Teachers also included

Teachers are catalysts for change, but are often neglected themselves in terms of training, mentoring and career prospects.

As part of the INCLUDE project, we offer training sessions covering inclusive education, gender sensitivity, career guidance, life skills, and child protection to teachers. By incorporating new teaching methodologies, teachers enhance their ability to meet diverse learning needs.

A number of adults sit in a classroom and listen to another teacher who stands at a desk at the front
As part of the INCLUDE project, FCA offers training sessions for teachers.

Phionah, an Accelerated Education Programme teacher, shares her experience:

“I now feel better equipped to address the varying learning needs of my students and create an inclusive learning environment where each student feels valued and supported in their educational journey. Consequently, students not only receive access to quality education but also acquire essential life skills and guidance crucial for their personal and professional growth.”



Funded by the European Union Humanitarian Aid (ECHO), the INnovative and inCLUsive accelerated eDucation programmE for refugee and host community children (INCLUDE) project is implemented by Finn Church Aid (FCA) in collaboration with Save the Children, Norwegian Refugee Council, Humanity and Inclusion, and War Child Holland. It is designed to address challenges to education for refugees and host communities, including newly arrived and out of school children in primary and secondary schools in Kyangwali, Kyaka, Nakivale and Rwamwanja Refugee Settlements.

Find out more about our work in Uganda.
Text: Linda Kabuzire
Photos: Rebecca Alum and Ronald Igulo

As the war in Sudan continues more than 570,000 people seek refuge in South Sudan

More than 570 000 people have sought refuge in fragile South Sudan as the number of refugees fleeing the war in Sudan grows

South Sudan, which is hosting a large number of refugees, is grappling with looming elections, severe inflation and extreme weather. In addition, millions of South Sudanese are themselves refugees. Those fleeing Sudan face volatile conditions.

SOUTH SUDAN, the world’s youngest country, has received increasing numbers of refugees over the past year. This is due to the devastating war in Sudan, which has been going on for almost a year now, forcing people to flee to South Sudan and other neighbouring countries such as Chad, Egypt and Ethiopia. 

Seme Nelson, FCA Country Director for South Sudan says that among those who have fled are both Sudanese and South Sudanese.

“During the post-independence civil war in South Sudan, especially between 2013 and 2016, many South Sudanese fled to Sudan. Now they have been forced to return back to South Sudan. Sudanese are also now forced to leave their homes and become refugees in South Sudan. The numbers of both returnees and Sudanese refugees is steadily increasing,” says Nelson.

The war in Sudan started in April 2023, and the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) estimates that South Sudan has already received 572,000 refugees since the war began, of whom around 20% are Sudanese fleeing the fighting. The remaining 80% are South Sudanese returning to their country of origin, fleeing again in search of a safe life. 

“These are not just numbers. When you’re talking about millions or hundreds of thousands, every number is a human life,” Nelson reminds us. 

Cash donations help buy food and send children to school

Nyakuola Kong Gatkak, a mother of three, recently returned to South Sudan, her country of origin. She lived in Sudan for four years. 

“I didn’t want to leave Sudan, but we had no choice,” she says, adding that her husband disappeared when the war broke out.

While living in Sudan, both Gatkak and her husband worked. The family had managed to save some money, which allowed Gatkak and her children to escape when the war broke out. The long escape route took the family first to an IDP camp in Sudan and then to the Sudan-South Sudan border, where they managed to reach Malakal. 

A woman stands in a wooden canoe
Nyakuola Kong Gatkak supports herself and her family by collecting firewood to sell at the market. The best way to get around Old Fangak’s wetlands is by canoe. Photo: Antti Yrjönen / FCA.

The family settled in their former homeland of Old Fangak in July 2023. In Old Fangak, livelihood opportunities are very limited, and the floods of recent years have made it difficult to grow food to eat and sell. Gatkak supports her family by collecting and selling firewood. In addition, the family has received cash assistance from FCA. With this money and the income from the firewood, Gatkak pays for her children’s school fees and meals.

“The children don’t have to go to bed hungry,” says Gatkak.

Refugees want to learn the language

In addition to cash aid, FCA supports education and training opportunities for refugees fleeing the war. With refugees and returnees, the number of students in many schools has multiplied and the need for education has increased.

However, a challenge has been that Arabic is widely spoken in Sudan, while in South Sudan the language of instruction is English. 

Huda Ismail Abakar, a Sudanese mathematics and computer science teacher, took part in a three-month language course for teachers in Juba, the capital of South Sudan, supported by FCA. The aim is to enable teachers who have fled Sudan to return to work as soon as possible. 

“It is important for me and my children to learn the language. You can’t communicate with others if you don’t know the language. Other people in my refugee camp also want to learn. When we teachers return to the camp in the evening after the course, many people ask us to teach them English,” says Abakar. 

Abakar says the family fled Sudan because the sounds of fighting and explosions were particularly frightening for the young children in the family. As they fled, Abakar was expecting his youngest son, who is 18 days old at the time of the interview. 

“We are not planning to go back. When we left Sudan, the place I call Sudan no longer existed. The war has destroyed a lot and it is still going on. We owned a shop that has now been looted for nothing. Our homes were also destroyed,” Abakar recalls.

Election year, inflation and extreme weather events – South Sudan is also suffering from multiple crises

South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011. Just a few years later, the country was plunged into a brutal civil war, the effects of which are still very much in evidence. The post-civil war peace in the society is fragile. 

The repeatedly postponed elections, scheduled for later this year, are a source of concern. Locals fear the elections could plunge the country into a new crisis. 

Daily life is also hampered by high inflation, limited livelihood opportunities and extreme weather events that make farming and other daily activities difficult. In mid-March, South Sudan closed its schools due to extreme heat.

The refugee situation is expected to continue for a long time

People fleeing the war need shelter, food, water, medicine and protection.  How prepared has South Sudan been to receive refugees from neighbouring Sudan?

“South Sudan was not prepared to receive refugees from other countries, as we have also had difficulties getting our own citizens to return home. More than two million South Sudanese live as refugees outside the country’s borders, while another two million live as internally displaced persons,” recalls Seme Nelson. 

A man looks at the camera
Seme Nelson, Country Director of Church Aid for South Sudan, reminds us that behind the refugee statistics there is always a human life. More than 570,000 have already fled the war from Sudan to South Sudan. Photo: Antti Yrjönen / FCA.

South Sudan’s own refugee situation has been described as the largest in Africa. But Nelson sees it as a good sign that the war in Sudan has prompted many South Sudanese to show solidarity with refugees and returnees. For example, families have opened their homes as shelters for those who fled. 

“However, many actors helping refugees are facing funding difficulties and we do not expect the refugee situation to ease this year. The crisis in Sudan and South Sudan is real. We must continue to help,” Seme Nelson stresses.

Information for journalists:

Tapio Laakso, head of FCA’s advocacy work, who recently returned from South Sudan:
tapio.laakso(at)kua.fi

Interview requests for Seme Nelson, FCA’s country manager for South Sudan via humanitarian communication expert Ulriikka Myohänen: ulriikka.myohanen(at)kua.fi

Pictures for media use here (including metadata).

‘A grim milestone’ in Ukraine – average of 42 civilian casualties each day during two years of war.

An average of 42 civilian casualties each day during two years of war in Ukraine

A burned book lies in rubble

NGO members of the Humanitarian Platform in Ukraine, which includes FCA, call for the immediate protection of civilians in Ukraine and for promises made by states to address humanitarian needs to be fulfilled.

KYIV, 24 February 2024 – Two years since the escalation of war in Ukraine, more than 10,500 civilians have been killed, including 587 children, as constant bombardments, mines, and drone attacks have left a generation traumatised, displaced and fearful for their lives, said 51 members of the Humanitarian NGO Platform in Ukraine.

With an average of 42 civilians killed and wounded per day, and recent months being particularly deadly, the group, made up of local and international organisations working in the country, is calling for the immediate protection of civilians, and reminds member states of promises made to tackle dire humanitarian needs of people in Ukraine.

Explosive weapons cause life-changing injuries

More than 87% of the people killed or injured, or 9,241 people, are casualties of explosive weapons, with many of the injuries life-changing in nature, including the loss of limbs or eyesight. The number is understood to be a vast undercount, as the UN continues to corroborate the figures. At the same time, people across Ukraine far from the frontlines also need support to rebuild their lives and recover.

“My daughter is growing up in the basement now,” says Sviatlana. “She and her 7-year-old daughter decided to stay in Kherson, an area that comes under heavy bombardment… “The longest time we had in the dark without electricity was 1.5 months, so now when there is a blackout I try to joke with my daughter, ‘what is one day, we already had way worse’. …Now there is only waiting and surviving. She is just a kid and wants to play outside on the playground, but she cannot leave the basement.”

Two years of renewed fighting has destroyed lives, homes and livelihoods, leaving 14.6 million people, including nearly 3 million children, in desperate need of humanitarian assistance across Ukraine. Nearly 80% of those in need of aid also require mental health support. The poverty level in Ukraine increased five-fold – 24 percent up from 5 percent – in 2022 alone.

Most displaced people wish to return home

Because of ongoing violence, about 4 million people are still displaced within Ukraine and more than 5.9 million were forced to flee to neighboring countries. Even though 67% of those internally displaced say they want to return home someday, many are unable to return to their homes as the war has shattered their communities, and livelihoods.

Many displaced people struggle to integrate in their new communities, where it is difficult to find jobs and housing. Women make up 58% of the internally displaced, and are more likely than men to experience unemployment and dependency on humanitarian aid.

Vulnerable groups are disproportionately affected by the ongoing war. Existing inequalities, including those facing children, Roma people, LGBTQIA+ people, older people and people with disabilities, are only increasing as the long-term, as compounding effects of the crisis drive specific needs.

“Life is far from normal”

Joanna Garbalinska, Director of the Humanitarian NGO Platform in Ukraine, said:

“As the war continues, life is far from normal. Civilians are living day-to-day under the threat of missiles and shells, which continue to hit populated civilian areas, inflicting death and destruction to areas near and far from the frontlines.

“The Humanitarian NGO Platform in Ukraine calls for all attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure to cease immediately, particularly in dense urban areas, as they may amount to grave violations of international humanitarian law. Civilians must always be protected from violence.

Today marks a grim milestone of the war in Ukraine. As the fighting heads into its third year since the escalation, humanitarian agencies in Ukraine remind member states of promises made to tackle this crisis. Today, humanitarian support is more needed than ever. Long-term funding commitments for humanitarian and recovery efforts – with Ukrainian civil society in the lead – are critical for the safety of civilians and for Ukraine’s future.”

The Humanitarian NGO Platform in Ukraine is an independent coordination body with 78 Ukrainian and international NGO members who are operational and delivering humanitarian assistance in Ukraine. The NGO Platform is dedicated to serving and facilitating the work of its members to efficiently and effectively address the humanitarian needs of conflict affected people.

Finn Church Aid’s work in Ukraine focuses on education, psychosocial support and rehabilitation of school structures. The war that started in February 2022 has damaged thousands of schools, of which hundreds are entirely destroyed.

—-

NGO Signatories:

  • “БО “”МБФ “”Руки друзів””// Friends’ Hands
  • ACTED
  • Action Against Hunger (ACF)
  • ActionAid
  • ГО “АЛЬЯНС.ГЛОБАЛ” // ALLIANCE.GLOBAL, Public Organization
  • arche noVa
  • CARE
  • Caritas Ukraine
  • Caritas Zaporizhzhia
  • Corus International
  • CUAMM – Doctors with Africa
  • Danish Refugee Council
  • Estonian Refugee Council
  • ГРОМАДСЬКА ОРГАНІЗАЦІЯ “ЕДКЕМП УКРАЇНА” // Public Organization “EDCAMP UKRAINE”
  • FHI 360
  • Fida International Ukraine
  • Finn Church Aid
  • Help-Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe
  • Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation
  • Humanity & Inclusion – Handicap International (HI)
  • humedica e.V.
  • International Rescue Committee
  • INTERSOS
  • La Chaîne de L’espoir
  • Lutheran World Federation
  • MAG (Mines Advisory Group)
  • Medair
  • Médecins du Monde International Network
  • Medical Teams International
  • Mercy Corps
  • Nonviolent Peaceforce
  • Norwegian Refugee Council
  • Oxfam
  • People in Need
  • Plan International
  • Premiere Urgence Internationale
  • Right to Protection
  • Save the Children
  • Solidarités international
  • Stichting Vluchteling (The Netherlands Refugee Foundation)
  • Terre des Hommes
  • Паросток// Parostok
  • UK-Med Ukraine
  • Ukrainian Red Cross Society
  • Українська фундація громадського здоров‘я // Ukrainian Foundation for Public Health
  • Welthungerhilfe
  • World Vision International
  • ZDOROVI
  • ГО “Дівчата”// NGO “Girls”
  • ГО «ГІ Допоможемо Разом» //NGO “Will Help Together”
  • Єдність чеснот//NGO “Unity of Virtue”

Dorcas, 17, is adjusting to a new life as a refugee in Uganda and hopes to stay in school

In an unfamiliar land – Dorcas, 17, is adjusting to a new life as a refugee in Uganda and hopes to stay in school

17-year-old Dorcas fled her home country, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in the middle of a school day. In Uganda, Dorcas is struggling to stay in school and get enough food. FCA helps young refugees build a better future for themselves.

Text: Elisa Rimaila
Photos: Antti Yrjönen

THE COOLEST hours of the morning are best suited for field work. A heavy wooden-handled hoe kicks up dust from the soil layer and Dorcas Uwamahoro, 17, scatters a few brown beans onto the ground. If the rains come on time and are sufficient, Dorcas’ family will have a bean harvest from their own field on their plates in three months.

The sun is already high in the sky, although the birds on the hills surrounding the field are just beginning their concert. Dorcas finds the last beans in her pockets, throws them on the ground and uses her hoe to pull a thin layer of soil over the top.

“Life was good at home in the DRC”, she says.

“Now, I’m just constantly hungry and I have to work a lot with my family members to get food. My clothes get dirty, and I feel dirty too”, Dorcas says.

Kolme ihmistä kävelee kukkuloiden välissä olevassa laaksossa Ugandan maaseudulla. Ihmiset kantavat päänsä päällä ruokabanaaniterttuja.

Dorcas Uwamahoro (centre) was separated from her parents Salome Imanizabayo (right) and Jean Habiyaremyea when she fled the Democratic Republic of Congo. Social media brought the family together on the Ugandan side

Kolme henkilöä kävelee tiellä Ugandan maaseudulla. Heistä keskellä oleva tyttö ja oikeassa laidassa oleva mies kantavat päänsä päällä ruokabanaaniterttuja.

Life as a refugee has been hard for the teenage Dorcas. In her new home country, Uganda, she has to help her parents with various farm chores that help the family put more food on the table. 

Kolme kongolaista henkilöä kulkee kameran ohi. Etummaisena oleva nainen kantaa olallaan kuokkaa, keskellä oleva nuori nainen ja mies päänsä päällä ruokabanaaniterttuja.

Dorcas’ parents do their best to ensure that their daughter and her younger siblings can go to school despite being refugees. 

Dorcas arrived in Uganda as a refugee in spring 2022, shortly after the conflict in her home region in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) escalated again.

They escaped in the middle of a school day.

“We started hearing gunshots around the school. My brother and I fled home, but already at the door we noticed that our parents and the rest of our siblings were no longer there. We flung the books out of our hands and continued running”, Dorcas recalls.

The conflict in the DRC began long before Dorcas was even born. Over three brutal decades, more than five million people have lost their lives. The DRC is a huge country, and the conflict in its eastern part is one of the most forgotten in the world: It only makes headlines when something bigger happens. One such moment was in March 2022, when armed groups became active once again and hundreds of thousands had to flee their homes.

By the end of 2023, about half a million Congolese people had fled across the border to neighbouring Uganda, and nearly six million were living as refugees in their own country. The long-lasting cycle of violence has already had enormous effects on several generations of young people. Many have had to drop out of school and live their everyday lives overshadowed by fear.

Nuori kongolainen nainen istuu pöydän ääressä ja katsoo sivulleen.
“I miss my friends, but I don’t know where they are now”, says Dorcas Uwamahoro. The flight from her home country took place in the middle of the school day in April 2022. 

Reunited by social media

When looking west towards the DRC from Dorcas’ current home, the large Nakivale refugee settlement on the southern border of Uganda, it is hard to believe what natural riches lie between the two countries – and what human suffering they have caused on the other side of the border.

The DRC and its eastern neighbour, Uganda, are separated by Lake Edward, one of Africa’s major water bodies, and the rugged Virunga Mountains. The world also knows them as the ‘mountains in the mist’, thanks to the successful autobiographical book by the American ethologist Dian Fossey and the Hollywood film based on it.

Instead of wild nature, the gentle hills surrounding Dorcas’ home are mostly planted with cooking banana trees, i.e. matoke. Corn and bean fields have also been ploughed on the slopes, with long-horned Ankole cattle and goats strolling at a leisurely pace on the sides of the road formed in the reddish brown sand. Among the animals, there are people carrying banana bunches, water canisters and hoes.

Dorcas arrived from the eastern DRC to Uganda by a different route than the rest of her family. Thanks to smartphones and social media, the family members found each other soon after crossing the border into the refugee reception area.

“I had already thought that I would never see my parents again. I felt awful, but the employees of the UN Refugee Agency UNHCR assured me that there is hope.”

“I felt extremely happy to see them”, Dorcas says.

According to the UN Refugee Agency, Uganda offers refuge to 1.5 million refugees from the DRC and South Sudan. These figures make Uganda the largest refugee-receiving country in Africa and the fourth largest in the world.

Nuori nainen istuu matalalla puupenkillä ruskean tiilitalon edessä Ugandassa ja juttelee kahden pienen lapsen kanssa. Toisella lapsella on sylissään nalle. Taustalla näkyy rakennus ja kasa tiiliä.
17-year-old Dorcas Uwamahoro has eight siblings in total. In addition to older brothers, the family also includes younger siblings, whom Dorcas helps take care of when her parents are working in the fields. 

Dorcas’ family settled in Nakivale, the place where the resettlement of refugees in Uganda began. Originally established in 1958, it is the oldest refugee settlement in all of Africa. Over the past six decades, East and Central Africa has been battered by various natural disasters and conflicts, forcing millions of people to flee their homes.

In 2020, more than 170,000 refugees lived in Nakivale and the number of new arrivals is ever-growing. In addition to the DRC, they had arrived from Burundi, Rwanda, Somalia, Ethiopia and Eritrea. The settlement is in constant motion. Some have stayed for decades, others were born as refugees. Some have been lucky and have been able to return to their homeland.

Kaksi naista keskustelee pellolla Ugandassa.
Dorcas’ (pictured here with her back to the camera) mother Salome Imanizabayo, 40, is an experienced farmer. Back home in the DRC, the mother cultivated the family’s own field. 

Dependency on food aid

Being a refugee has been a hard pill to swallow for the 17-year-old. Life is very different from what Dorcas is used to. Back home in the DRC, Dorcas’ father worked as a teacher and her mother cultivated the family’s own piece of land. Dorcas attended school and lived the life of a normal teenage girl, which included spending time with her friends.

“I miss my friends, but I don’t know where they are now. In the midst of war, everyone went their separate ways”, she says gravely.

Listening to Dorcas, it becomes clear how worried she is about the future. Most of the little money the family of eleven has is currently spent on food. Each member of the family receives both money and food, such as beans, cooking oil, salt and maize, through the World Food Programme (WFP), but the donations are not enough to cover all of their needs. In particular, they are not enough to keep the family’s children in school.

Watch the video of Dorcas Uwamahoro telling about her life as refugee.

“We didn’t have such problems at home in the DRC. Here, our schooling is constantly at risk because we don’t have the money for the school fees”, she says.

In Uganda, it took Dorcas three months to be able to go to school.

“At that time, I was constantly thinking about where I could get the books and a school uniform and whether I would ever really be able to go back to school. I was very depressed”, she says.

Now, Dorcas goes to school most days. Dorcas received school supplies, a backpack and the encouragement she needed from Finn Church Aid. With support from its disaster fund, FCA has been working in the Nakivale refugee settlement to get children and young people back to school since 2022.

Ugandalaisen pakolaisasutusalueen tiellä kävelee paljon ihmisiä. Osaa taluttaa polkupyöriä ja monilla on käsissään ostospusseja.

Relief supplies from the World Food Programme (WFP) have become an important part of food security for the family of Dorcas Uwamahoro, 17, (centre) in Uganda. Dorcas collects her portion from the food distribution point every month. 

Kongolainen perhe kuokkii peltoa Ugandassa.

Uganda supports the food security of people arriving in the country as refugees by giving each family a piece of land to grow their own food. Dorcas Uwamahoro’s family was hoeing the field they received and planting their first bean crop in the Nakivale refugee settlement in September 2023. 

Lakkipäinen mies seisoo pellolla Ugandassa ja nojaa kuokkaansa. Taustalla näkyy maisema ja muita ihmisiä, jotka työskentelevät pellolla.

Dorcas’ father, Jean Habiyaremye, 42, worked as a teacher in his home country of the DRC. He wants as many of the children as possible to go to school and achieve the best possible future for themselves. 

Dorcas’ family has barely enough money to pay for her schooling, but not for school meals. She often has to sit through afternoon lessons with her stomach rumbling with hunger.

School meals in Nakivale would cost 60,000 shillings per semester, which is equivalent to just under 15 euros. This money would buy a single lunch in downtown Helsinki in Finland, but it is a large sum for someone living as a refugee in Uganda.

Inflation has increased the price of food in Uganda as well. At the same time, large traditional aid organisations, such as the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Refugee Agency UNHCR, have had to drastically cut the aid they offer due to a lack of funding. The cash grant awarded by the WFP per person in the refugee areas of Uganda is 12,000 shillings, or about 2.90 euros, per month. The amount is well below the limit of extreme poverty of around two euros per day. Some of Dorcas’ family members receive support in the form of food products and some in cash.

The lack of funding is largely due to two things: Firstly, the fact that the world’s interest has been heavily focused on Ukraine, not Africa. At the same time, crises have greatly intensified in the region due to climate change and political instability, which has driven hundreds of thousands of new people to flee their homes, for example, in South Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia and Sudan in addition to the DRC.

Nuori kongolainen nainen ojentaa lapselle kädesään olevaa vihkoa. Naisen edessä toinen lapsi pitelee kädessään oppikirjaa. Henkilöiden takana näkyy savella muurattu rakennus.
17-year-old Dorcas’ chores at home include preparing her 6-year-old twin sisters for school and taking them there. Dorcas is sad that Asante Melody and Pacific Yvonne do not get food during the school day because the family is so poor. 

Language problem challenges learning

Rumbling stomach aside, there is also another factor that makes the school days of Dorcas and many other refugees more difficult.

“At home, we studied in Swahili and French. Here, the teachers only speak English. Due to my lack of language skills, I had to move a couple of years down in level.”

Kolme nuorta naista kävelee Ugandassa pakolaisasutusalueella hiekkatiellä keskustellen ja nauraen keskenään.
After fleeing her home in the DRC, Dorcas Uwamahoro (centre) lost touch with her friends. In Uganda, she has made new friends who share the same experience of being a refugee. The Congolese Asante Ruzuba (left) and Neema Bizimana are also Dorcas’ schoolmates. 

The language challenge gnaws at the girl’s mind, but the schools in the refugee areas follow Uganda’s official curriculum. It defines the language of instruction as English.

“At home, I was one of the best students in my class. I raised my hand often during lessons and understood everything. I felt smart”, she says.

In order to succeed at school, Dorcas has to study English. She is often frustrated by how difficult everything is.

“I didn’t understand anything during the first few days at school!”

Dorcas has learned the language little by little. She gets help from an English teacher working as a volunteer at the school who has also arrived from the DRC to Uganda as a refugee.

Nuori kongolainen nainen kurkistaa ovenraosta ja hymyilee.
Even though going to school hungry and having to use a foreign language is tough, Dorcas Uwamahoro wants to believe that she can influence her future by studying hard. 

“Now, I know how to say hello and can at least greet the teacher in class”, says Dorcas, clearly downplaying her skills a bit. The young woman’s favourite subjects at school are especially mathematics and chemistry because she can get on in those by doing calculations.

In Nakivale, the refugees as well as the local children and young people attend the same school. Language unites refugees of different nationalities as well. Dorcas says that she also gets support from her new friends, whom she met as soon as she arrived in Uganda.

“We started getting to know each other because we share a common language”, she says.

One of Dorcas’ new friends is Neema Bizimana, 19, who, like Dorcas, has had to get used to a new life in a foreign country. The families of the teenage girls are now sharing a field in the refugee settlement, provided by the Ugandan government.

Kaksi kongolaista tyttöä nojaa koulurakennuksen seinään ja juttelee keskenään lähikuvassa.

In the refugee settlement of Nakivale, Dorcas Uwamahoro, 17, receives support for her persistence at school from her friend Neema Bizimana, 19. Despite their age difference, the girls are in the same class because both have had to learn English to follow the lessons. 

Dorcas and Neema are currently helping their parents plant beans in the field. The harvest is expected in three months. The girls hope that crops from their own field will put an end to the constant hunger.

Nevertheless, it seems that tiredness and worries are forgotten in the company of a friend. Taking a break, the girls giggle as they lean on their hoes.

“I have friends here who give me hope. They have good ideas and they also encourage me to stay in school, no matter what”, Dorcas says.

The article has been written as part of a 2024 Common Responsibility Campaign in Finland. The Common Responsibility Campaign is an annual fundraising campaign of the Finnish Lutheran Church. A share of campaign proceeds are channeled to the Finn Church Aid’s Disaster Fund, which enables the launch and implementation of emergency response to humanitarian disasters.