In the heart of a war-torn land, nestled amid barren landscapes and echoes of lost dreams, stands Wedweil refugee camp—a sanctuary for those displaced by conflict. Within its boundaries, intertwined tales of hardship, hope, and humanity unfolded each day. With all the 11,000 plus refugees sharing similar sentiments, they thought the camp was a transient stay but have made peace that it might not be as temporary as they thought. However, despite the sea of makeshift shelters and the scorching sun, refugees at the camp have more hope and love to give despite braving individual struggles. Amidst the harsh realities of displacement and uncertainty, a group of determined refugees came together to create a sanctuary of learning for the young children residing within the camp.

As the sun set over the camp, casting a warm glow upon the makeshift classrooms, the voices of children reciting English phrases echoed through the air, conveying hope, resilience, and the timeless pursuit of knowledge. A new chapter is being written—one where education, compassion, and unity prevail against all odds. The initiative to establish the New Generation Center for Language and Training (NGCLT) sprouted from a shared belief in the transformative power of education. The school’s proprietors, Hassan Shareef Salih, Abdelazim Atom Mustafa, and Borham refugees themselves, recognized the need for the children to adapt and become proficient in English proficiency as it would open doors to a brighter future. We sat down with them to share their thought process.

Borham mentions that when he arrived at the camp, life became a daily struggle against hunger, food rations, and the memories of a life left behind, yet he refuses to let the despair consume his spirit.  The displaced refugee youths were frustrated as there were no schools for them to attend, leading them to think about how best to use their knowledge. With this collective revelation, the youths at Wedweil saw a gap in the education system. Armoured with a dream for a better tomorrow, the young refugees started a school. “When we began, we did not have anything. We sat on the floor and thatched a few classes. We did not even have chalks or blackboards, yet we managed to have some students.” Says Borham.

It was not until SAADO, in partnership with Christian Aid through the Acute Crisis Stream Project (ACS), that a cash assistance project at the camp was initiated that the school gained traction. The ACS project set off to improve the lives of families in the camp by supplementing their income. Borham, a SAADO volunteer for the project, mobilized Hussein and Abdelazim to leverage some of that money and pump it into the school project. Despite the scarcity of textbooks, supplies, and proper infrastructure, these young men pour their passion into teaching the children English, using innovative methods and creative approaches to make learning engaging and impactful. The students, in turn, embrace each lesson with fervor, their laughter ringing out amidst adversity.  “We used some of that money to buy stationery, blackboards, chairs and tables and set up additional classes. The classes run in the morning and evening. There are four classes in the morning and 7 in the evening starting from 3 -6 pm.”

 Nonetheless, the school faces significant challenges. For example, there are no classes during the rainy season, and the teachers send the children home. Additionally, the group has tried to liaise with different organizations, like the State Ministry of Education-Aweil, to legalize the school, but the long and tedious process is yet to yield anything. Pleas now lie with humanitarian organizations like UNHCR, who are aware of the school’s existence, to call forth other supporters to to aid the school’s development and success. “All we do here is self-effort, and we would like to acknowledge SAADO and Christian Aid, who have left a huge footprint here in the school. We thank you for your support and all the help you have done to bring this school into existence.”  

 The glimmer of hope amongst the children at the NGCLT is a wonder as within the confines of a thatched grass classroom and earthen floors, their eyes dazzle at a better future. Much as the future seems, every day is a reminder of how near it is. Standing mesmerized at the initiative is James Wani, the South Sudan Christian Aid country director, who looks on with joyous pomp as he nostalgically reminisces his days at a similar school decades ago. Wani explains how volunteers collected textbooks and volunteered to teach the refugee boys. “I started at such a school, but I was determined to read any book I could find. And guess what! I was the best student in the district. Out of a grass-thatched school like this, I emerged, and it drew attention to relevant bodies that hastened its recognition. Mine is to applaud and encourage you to keep up with the effort, and there is light at the end of the tunnel.”  Such sentiments assure us that SAADO’s impact is lifelong, and these children will look back with much appreciation for the CCS cash assistance project.

Through their plea for support, the refugees at Wedweil camp seek not just material aid but also solidarity and recognition of their unwavering resilience. They envision a future where the camp would prioritize education like food, health, and security. And so, amid uncertainty and hardship, the NGCLT stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of humanity. It is a place where refugees transform adversity into opportunity, where the power of education transcends borders and brings communities together in pursuit of a brighter tomorrow.