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Resilience Beyond Borders: How Child-Headed Refugee Children in Uganda are Building Futures Through Education.

4 October 2024, 11:57 am

By Cinderella Ayebare

Kiryandongo, Uganda

In Uganda’s refugee settlements, a remarkable story of resilience unfolds. The child-headed families who fled from war-torn South Sudan are striving to rebuild their lives. Despite overwhelming challenges, Oslam, Taban and Akisi are determined to overcome hardship.

 13-year-old Oslam’s story is one of resilience and determination. Oslam fled from South Sudan at just four years old, Oslam settled with his aunt in Kiryandongo refugee settlement in Mid-Western Uganda where he happily enrolled in primary school.

Teenager Oslam shares his story in an interview. Photo credit James Chanwat

In 2023, Oslam secured a bursary to study in Arua City, nearly 300 kilometers away from Kiryandongo.

However, when his aunt returned to South Sudan following the death of her husband, Oslam was left to fend for himself.

 His story is not unique; many refugee child-headed families in Uganda face similar struggles.

17-year-old Taban is another example. After losing his Dad and separated from his Mum, he took on the responsibility of caring for himself. Some days Taban wakes up early, toiling in people’s gardens and working as a porter to cover his school requirements. “I face many difficulties, but I won’t give up,” Taban asserts. “When I’m chased from class, I go look for a job like for weeding” Taban

His journey to Uganda began with a sudden gunshot while he was at school and got separated from his mother.

In a sad tone, Taban says he is hoping to complete school and try to trace his mother back in South Sudan. “I really miss my Mom, I used to interact with her a lot and if she was here the hardship would be less, I just wish my Mom was here” express Taban.

The Covid-19 brought sufferings to many. However, Taban used the lockdown to work and save money for his education. As a result, Taban successfully completed his ordinary level education.

“During lockdown life was hard but I went and work in a sugar cane plantation where i saved money foe my school requirements and I completed form four” Taban

For Akisi, 14 lost his parents during the war in Eastern Equatorial region of South Sudan, he fled to Uganda with only the clothes he was putting on. Without support from both parents, living as a refugee in another country, Akisi’s only hope is to get an education to improve his life.

“planting crops and studying are my passions, but I face difficulties due to limited resources,” he says. Akisi is determined to complete his education and lead a good stable life.

Uganda’s National Refugee Policy (2019) Section 4.5.1 emphasizes ensuring access to quality education for refugee children, including child-headed families.

However, parents are expected to provide some requirements like uniform, books and also contribute to the Parents Teachers’ Association (PTA),

With no parents or guardian to depend on, children like Oslam, Taban and Akisi, education is their only hope and key to a brighter future, with no parents or guardian to depend on, Oslam, Taban and Akisi have no other option than to fend for themselves.

 Local leaders call for educational support.

Martin Moro Daniel is a Refugee Welfare Council official at the settlement, was a government servant in South Sudan, he fled to Uganda in 2016. He is advocating for  the establishment of more schools an offering special education consideration for refugee children in order to unlock their full potential “We appreciate Uganda’s peaceful environment and freedom of movement, however we recommend for the building of more schools to accommodate growing number of refugee children” He adds that, “there is need to provide special consideration for refugee education, particularly for the children in primary schools and more support for the child-headed families” Moro.

Martin Moro Daniel embodies Uganda’s warm hospitality and advocates for building more schools Photo credit James Chanwat

Andama John is the Local Council one Chairman for Bweyale, he praises Uganda’s open-door policy but stresses the need for increased support towards quality education for refugee children, “by supporting refugee children and families, it will foster a brighter future for all” Andama.

He highlighted communities support to the children in terms of mentoring and guidance and sometimes food and shelter is strength to the children.

“Refugee children and children from the host communities are mentored in the same way” Andama

The two leaders whose hearts are rooted into the well-being of refugees agrees that with increase funding towards education, child protection services including provision of livelihood opportunities for refugee families would uplift them.

Host Children’s Perspectives

Teenagers Kevin (14) and Abalo (16) share their thoughts on child-headed refugee families. Kevin is living with both parents, she says “It’s sad to see children my age struggling alone. I encourage them to stay strong. Many refugee girls are my friends.”

Abalo, who lost her parents, finds inspiration in refugee children “Some child-headed families are my friends. Their stories help me cope with living without parents. I understand their struggles.” 

Listening to each other’s stories, these young friends build a supportive community. “We’re not alone,” says Abalo.

When it takes a village to raise a child

In a display of community spirit, neighbors like Awate Rose and Martine Moro are making difference in the lives of refugee child headed families. They share food and shelter with some of the child headed families.

Awate for instance support Oslam with food on days when he has nothing. Moro on one hand has opened his heart and home to two refugee children whose parents were abducted in South Sudan. 

Awate Rose supports Oslam with food on days when he has nothing. Photo credit James Chanwat

As a foster parent, Moro provides love, care, and support to these vulnerable children, giving them a sense of belonging and hope for a brighter future.

Next in our series: [Cinderella Ayebare explores the transformative impact of trauma counselling, cultural festivals, peer-to-peer support and peace in healing].

About the Author

Cinderella Ayebare

Cinderella Ayebare is a youth multimedia reporter focused on highlighting children, enviroment and tourism industry. She is based in Kampala, Uganda. Email; ayebarecindy22@gmail.com

This story was produced with the support of Media Monitoring Africa as part of the Isu Elihle Awards.