Meet Gali and Maurine

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Gali is three years old and his parents fled to Kyaka II refugee settlement about four years ago after a life-threatening conflict erupted between the Hema and Lendu tribes in their village of Ituri in DR Congo. 
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Uganda is a leading example to the world in the way it hosts refugees, but Gali’s mother Maurine says that since crossing the border into the country life has not been easy. “I was a farmer back in DRC and although the government gives us land here in Uganda, it is too small to use for an agricultural project. We are solely dependent on handouts from the World Food Programme and support from UNHCR”. 

She goes on to say “Our early years school was on the brink of collapse before Children on the Edge Africa got involved. The classrooms were dilapidated and everything was falling apart. I was worried pieces of the mud wall would fall on the children and hurt them. Now two of our classrooms have been refurbished* and they are filled with pictures and numbers on the walls. The teachers are all really good and very friendly. The children love them so much.” ​
 *See a photo of the refurbished classroom top right

Knowing nothing but living in an unsettled situation had a damaging effect on Gali. He used to hit the other children in the neighbourhood, until his friend’s parents started banning them from playing with him. Gali’s mum started to feel that people hated her son.

She went to the Centre and asked the new teacher to watch him closely and try to guide him when he plays with other children. Over time, Gali’s behaviour began to change and he stopped fighting. 

Maurine would love to see a third classroom built so they can separate baby and middle class, she would also like the children to have uniforms.

 “I am certain that he will now have a strong foundation to help him perform well in his education, to be friendly, courteous and well mannered to others and to succeed in his future”.  (Maurine)

READ MORE ABOUT THE WORK IN KYAKA II