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In the district of Adjumani, Northern Uganda, Akoy, a 30-year-old refugee from South Sudan, is making a difference in the lives of hundreds of children. As a language facilitator and teacher at the Ayilo 2A Elementary School, Akoy is playing a crucial role in providing education to refugee children, many of whom have fled conflict zones such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, and South Sudan.
The school, located in a large settlement of South Sudanese refugees, is called a 'school under the tree,' indicating it is temporary. However, the Ayilo 2A Elementary School is equipped with funds provided by Welthungerhilfe in cooperation with the Höller Stiftung, allowing it to offer improved facilities, including nice classrooms and teachers' residences.
The school is currently facing immense challenges due to the overwhelming number of child refugees. With over 200,000 South Sudanese refugees living in the district of Adjumani, the classes at Ayilo 2A Elementary School are very large, with 150 children per classroom. Despite these difficulties, Akoy expresses gratitude for more space for the teachers at the school.
Teachers from out of town who come to work at Ayilo 2A Elementary School live in small houses behind the school. Akoy, who speaks the same language as many of the children, teaches mathematics, English, and general studies at the school.
Akoy and his family live in a small, round hut in the settlement. The children are grateful to Akoy for helping them regain a bit of normality amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis. Akoy is proud of the school and its improvements, expressing his gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to the education of these refugee children.
Uganda's progressive refugee policy allows every refugee who arrives to stay, settling them quickly rather than making them live in camps. However, the education system is under severe strain from the massive refugee influx and funding shortages, causing overcrowded classes and limited supervision. The Ugandan government's efforts to provide education services to these children are commendable, but they are not without challenges.
The impact of teachers like Akoy in refugee schools is significant. Education offers refugee children a rare opportunity for stability, hope, and future empowerment despite ongoing humanitarian crises and funding shortfalls. Without increased international support, many refugee children will drop out of school, face malnutrition, and exposure to violence. Teachers in refugee schools thus play a vital role in maintaining education access and safeguarding children's futures in these difficult conditions.
[1] Refugees International
[2] UNHCR
[3] World Food Programme
[4] Welthungerhilfe
[5] Höller Stiftung
Science plays a crucial role in the overall health and wellness of refugee children in Adjumani, Northern Uganda. Akoy, an educator at the Ayilo 2A Elementary School, is now incorporating mental health topics into his curriculum to provide a well-rounded educational experience, helping these children navigate the challenges of their displacement.
Moreover, Akoy and his fellow educators strive to promote learning environments that support both physical and mental health, aiming to provide refugee children with the necessary tools to cope with their circumstances and embrace a future characterized by hope and resilience.
