Haram Jukin (center) walks with two friends in Yusuf Batil refugee camp in South Sudan’s Upper Nile State.
about water usage and about rapid deforestation to pro- duce charcoal for cooking and lumber for construction. And the refugees all came with their livestock, so there are a lot of cattle and goats and sheep that need a place to graze.” Youth who haven’t finished primary school or had sec- ondary education represent another challenge, said Col- lins Onyango, education coordinator for the LWF regional team at the camps. “It’s often worse for young women, some of whom married early but because of the war were left to take care of small children on their own,” he said. “There is no secondary education or vocational training in
Healing through play W
hen the 386 children registered at Lutheran World Federation-
run schools at Yusuf Batil camp fin- ish classes, out come the volleyballs, skipping ropes, hula-hoops, badmin- ton sets and other games. Now the fun begins.
Many of the 186 boys play soc-
cer, while many of the 200 girls jump rope. As the late afternoon sun sinks, one or two adults lead the chil- dren in song and action games. It may look spontaneous, but this is a deliberately designed “child- friendly space.” After violence, diseases like malaria and separation from their families, simple games can help restore happiness and bring
the camps. … It’s a potential time bomb.” So the LWF’s emergency work in the camps will
include community-based sports and other activities youth can help manage. Also in the plans are English language literacy and vocational skills training in areas such as carpentry, catering and tailoring. “With no end to the war in sight, the camps will grow, and there will be great need for things like furniture and school uniforms,” Onyango said. “If we can help train people to produce those items locally, we’re helping them prepare for a more sustainable future while here as well as when they eventually go back home.”
children closer to a normal life. Establishing safe play areas helps protect, nurture and educate children informally. It’s also an entry point to aid. Emergencies disrupt children’s routines, services and support, reducing people’s ability to care for their own, said Igga Idraku Pasteur, an LWF child protection officer in Yusuf Batil. The LWF involves parents, grandparents, religious leaders, women’s groups and youth groups in child-friendly spaces. So while the children play, women and men from the communities supervise. They have the support of community-led child protection committees, and
they know their responsibilities, the principles of children’s rights and the concept behind kid-friendly spaces.
When children from different backgrounds play together, it helps heal emotional wounds and build conflict resolution skills, Pasteur said.
As the sun sets, the games fin- ish for the day. Children head home tired but happy. For a moment at least, their troubles have melted away.
Melany Markham
Markham is a Nairobi-based LWF regional communications consultant.
April 2013 35
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