Uganda is host to the fastest growing refugee crisis in the world, with an estimated 1.4 million refugees; a quarter of them fleeing conflict and human rights abuses in the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo.
Children on the Edge are supporting 30 Congolese refugee communities in Kyaka II refugee settlement to provide early childhood education for over 5,000 of the youngest children.
THE EDGE IN KYAKA II
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Uganda is Africa’s leading refugee hosting country, and the third largest in the world. It is estimated that Uganda’s total refugee and asylum-seeking population is now over 1.4 million, the largest in its history. Over a quarter of these arrivals have fled conflict, disease and human rights abuses in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Despite being leaders in refugee policy, services in Uganda are overstretched and UNHCR is calling on international actors to step up their response. Kyaka II refugee camp receives 7% of arrivals, with over 65% being children who often suffer extreme trauma after witnessing the brutality of war and displacement. They face serious child protection risks and have nowhere safe to go during the day. Thousands of Congolese refugee children in Kyaka II refugee camp are lacking vital opportunities for Early Childhood Development. A number of NGOs are providing primary education in Kyaka II, but early years education provision is limited for the youngest refugee children at a vital time in their development. |
An example of one Early Childhood Development Centre in need of refurbishment.
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WHAT WE ARE DOING TO HELP
Supporting 30 refugee communities in Kyaka II camp to replicate our model of best practice, ensuring high quality, cost-effective Early Childhood Development provision for nearly 5,000 children.
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Nearly 5,000 of the youngest Congolese children in Kyaka II refugee settlement are beginning to access early childhood education, trauma care, play and key health interventions, ensuring they have the best possible start in life.
Through a pilot year in 2020 we provided top quality Early Childhood Development training to 24 refugee teachers in eight centres and began refurbishment of a central resource centre to use as a model for a further 30 buildings. In the next two years work will be replicated and, in partnership with the Haileybury Youth Trust, we have started to construct and rebuild the centres in all 30 communities, so they will be resourced to provide quality early learning opportunities for around 5,000 children. All centres will be safe spaces, with trained teachers from both the refugee and local communities. This ensures children have the opportunity to learn in their own language with familiar trusted adults. A core of this work will be the development of strong volunteer Centre Management Committees (CMC’s) to ensure sustainable community ownership. During lockdown, we've been ensuring children still have safe access to education by delivering home learning packs and providing radio lessons. |
Classrooms are brimming with colourful, sustainable learning resources, made by trained refugee teachers.
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AKUKUNDA'S STORY
Akukunda and her family with their solar powered radio provided by Children on the Edge Africa
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Akukunda is 4 years old, and a pupil at Baby Angel Early Childhood Development Centre. Her family are refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo and live in Kyaka II refugee camp in Uganda.
Her family received a solar powered radio from Children on the Edge Africa so she could listen to the Radio Lessons designed to compliment our home learning programme throughout the pandemic. The lessons have been airing on Kyegegwa Community Radio on weekdays for 30 minutes and feature a fun character called 'Akili'. Akukunda's mother said that she used to spend time at her friend Joan’s shelter and listen to music on their radio. She really loves Lingala music, a Congolese genre of music. When we introduced radio lessons, Akukunda also went to Joan’s home to listen to the early learning radio programmes. After receiving the fully solar powered radio kit, she can now easily access the radio programmes and listen to music in her own home. Her family now host other children when the lessons are on, which makes Akukunda very happy. Since the lessons began, Akukunda is now able to name most domestic animals and some wild animals in English. |
“Akukunda used to admire Joan’s family but now we also have a radio. The learning show is very entertaining. ‘Akili’ is a very wise boy and he teaches our children a lot of things, like the names of animals in English and how to count; I hope he continues!”
Zomeya, Akukunda's mother
RADIO'S TO SUPPORT LOCKDOWN LEARNING
Covid-19 lockdown procedures are having a devastating effect on the refugee communities we support in Uganda. Together with our local partners we have been pursuing sensible solutions to contain the outbreak and provide essential supply parcels to those most in need.
Radio lessons to compliment our home learning programme have been airing for 30 minutes a day on weekdays to ensure children in Kyaka II refugee camp still have access to quality early years education during coronavirus restrictions in Uganda.
Radio lessons to compliment our home learning programme have been airing for 30 minutes a day on weekdays to ensure children in Kyaka II refugee camp still have access to quality early years education during coronavirus restrictions in Uganda.
