Teaching Toward the Future: Education in Darfuri Refugee Camps
DJABAL CAMP, Chad – "I knew how to read and write, that is why I was selected to be a teacher in Djabal camp," says Aziza Souleyman Mahamet. A modest claim, but one that reflects the serious lack of trained and qualified teachers in the schools of eastern Chad's refugee camps.
Aziza, a 40-year-old mother of three, is herself a refugee from Darfur. "The Janjaweed attacked us and an Antonov plane bombed us," she recalls, referring to the infamous militia group. Her family walked for seven days before reaching Sudan’s border with Chad, where they lived for many months through the rainy season. It was only in mid-2004 that UNHCR found them and brought them to Djabal camp.
In her four years of teaching Arabic, Aziza has met many traumatized children. "You have children who saw their parents being murdered – by gunshot or shrapnel from the bombings," she says. "These children have not forgotten the images, and it impacts a lot the way they learn and remember things. Some have dropped out of school because of it."
Thankfully, various psychological and social programs in the camp have provided counseling to many children, helping them focus better in class.
But the physical infrastructure and basic supplies are often missing. "Now they are learning while sitting on the sand," says Aziza. "We need tables and chairs for the children to be able to sit." There is also a huge need for more textbooks. On average, there is only one book for every three pupils, which is not enough for students to follow classes and do homework. Basic stationary such as notepads and pens is also in demand.
In addition, the harsh weather conditions in eastern Chad, including sand storms and the rainy season, cause school buildings to deteriorate quickly. "Some parents are afraid to send their children to school because they fear the building will collapse on them," says Aziza. With no glass windows, classrooms are exposed to wind and sand storms.
Teachers are trained by UNHCR, UNICEF and NGOs, but incentives are weak. "Teachers are not paid enough," says Aziza, who makes about $1.50 a day.
Still, Aziza would not trade her job for any other. "I thank God that now I can teach children," she says with emotion. "For their future and mine, I hope to be able to return to Darfur, to study for myself and continue to teach in my village."
In the meantime, she continues to encourage parents to send their children to school so that when it is safe to return to Darfur, "they will have knowledge and education to rebuild the region."
