"Let's promptly kick off the action"
In the heart of Adjumani, Northern Uganda, lies the Ayilo 2A Elementary School, a beacon of hope for thousands of refugee children, primarily from South Sudan. Akoy, a 30-year-old teacher, is one of the dedicated educators who have made this school their mission.
Akoy, a language facilitator and teacher, instructs mathematics, English, and general studies at the school. His face lights up in conversation, a testament to his strength and pride in his work. Despite the challenging conditions, Akoy's spirit remains undeterred.
The school, originally a 'school under the tree', has seen significant improvements thanks to the support of organisations like Welthungerhilfe, in cooperation with the Höller Stiftung. The school now boasts modern classrooms and teachers' residences.
However, the educational system in these refugee settlements faces severe challenges. Overcrowded classrooms, insufficient teaching materials, and interruptions caused by displacement and instability are common. Limited access to safe water and health services, as well as social issues such as high teenage pregnancy rates, further complicate the learning environment.
Despite these difficulties, Akoy and his students persevere. The children at the school are grateful for Akoy, their laughter and shouts echoing on the school grounds. Akoy, in turn, passes on the spark of hope that glimmers in his eyes to his students.
The district of Adjumani is home to over 200,000 South Sudanese refugees. Teachers like Akoy play a critical role in sustaining education for these children, supported by ongoing humanitarian and development programs. These initiatives aim to enhance educational access, quality, and gender responsiveness in refugee settings.
Projects such as the Bridge Project and initiatives by organisations like UNESCO are making a difference. The Bridge Project focuses on helping displaced youth reclaim lost years of education, with a particular focus on adolescent girls. UNESCO provides digital learning resources and teacher training to improve education quality in the region.
Akoy was allowed to continue teaching in Uganda during the intake proceedings and expresses his gratitude towards Germany for the support. He also requests more room for the teachers to accommodate the growing number of students. Teachers from out of town who come to work at the school live in small houses behind the school, two to a room. Akoy and his family reside in a small, round hut in the settlement.
The Ugandan government settles refugees quickly rather than making them live in camps, allowing them to integrate into the community and access local resources. Every refugee who arrives in Uganda may stay.
Despite the challenges, Akoy's story is one of resilience and determination. His dedication to his students and the school serves as a testament to the power of education in overcoming adversity.
Akoy's commitment to teaching at the Ayilo 2A Elementary School, a home-and-garden for thousands of refugee children, extends beyond mathematics, English, and general studies. His personal-growth is evident in his unwavering spirit, even amidst the challenges of the educational system in the refugee settlements.
With initiatives like the Bridge Project and support from organizations such as UNESCO, Akoy and other teachers in Adjumani strive for a lifestyle that includes education-and-self-development for all refugee children, fostering their personal-growth and shaping their future.
