Empowerment Through Learning: Santina’s Journey in a Ugandan Refugee Camp

In the Rhino Refugee Settlement in Uganda, many children face daunting challenges, but few stories resonate as powerfully as that of 13-year-old Santina. Her life reflects a journey of survival, resilience, and the indomitable spirit of hope in the face of adversity.

Santina fled violence in South Sudan with her mother and siblings, but her struggles intensified when a severe illness drastically affected her physical and cognitive development at the tender age of six. The disease left her partially paralyzed and impeded her ability to perform daily tasks, making even simple movements a challenge. According to her mother, "My daughter couldn't move outside the yard herself; she couldn't even help with cooking or cleaning."

However, Santina's determination never wavered. With her family’s encouragement, she began attending a nearby primary school located two kilometers from their home. This leap into education became a transformative experience for her, aided by an innovative program implemented through Humanity Inclusion (HI) with funding from Education Cannot Wait (ECW), which is dedicated to ensuring education access in crisis situations.

Thanks to ECW’s emergency grant, HI provided vital tools for improving her learning experience and boosting her confidence, including books, pens, colored pencils, puzzles, and games. Santina expresses her joy: “I love writing and reading. I also enjoy playing football with my friends at school. I am happy because my left hand was weak, but now I can use it.”

The support from HI included employing occupational and physiotherapists who worked one-on-one with Santina to enhance her daily living skills. They guided her in dressing herself and using the restroom independently, and engaged her in fine motor skills exercises like filling bottles and coloring, which helped improve her coordination. Santina proudly shares, “I can move around the school easily now.”

Her teachers play an essential role in her progress by accommodating her specific needs. They ensure that she sits at the front of the classroom to see the blackboard clearly, and they have provided her with tailored learning materials, including pencil grips and slanted boards.

The daunting backdrop of the refugee crisis in Uganda, which hosts the largest refugee population in sub-Saharan Africa, adds to Santina's challenges. The country faces considerable pressure in providing basic services and is prone to climate-related disasters such as flooding and landslides. Yet amidst these obstacles, Santina harbors big dreams. “I want to continue my education up to university and become a pastor in my community,” she says, displaying the ambition that is emblematic of her resilience.

Santina's story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit, love, and the belief that every child deserves the opportunity to thrive, regardless of the barriers they may face. Since 2017, ECW has collaborated with partners to enhance access to high-quality, inclusive education for vulnerable children and youth from refugee and host communities. Their initiatives encompass mental health support, ensuring inclusive learning environments for children with disabilities, promoting gender equality, and supporting students, educators, and caregivers.

Ultimately, Santina’s journey illustrates not just her personal achievements, but also the collective effort required to empower refugee children around the world. Her life is a beacon of hope, showcasing that even in the most challenging environments, learning and education can truly transform lives.