Child protection projects in Dzaleka refugee camp in Malawi

We are running English as a Foreign Language Program to allow new arrivals children and out-of-school youth struggling to access education in formal schools as well as to increase the intellectual capacity that will help them to enroll in other projects offered in English in Dzaleka. In addition, to allow them to start seeing connections they did not know before and be eventually be able to engage in camp activities to access livelihoods opportunities that require English.

the idea of starting English as a Foreign Language Program in Dzaleka came in 2017 when we observed new arrivals children and youth as well as out-of-school youth struggling to access education in formal schools due to full capacity.  From a recent UNHCR survey, there are over 11,000 school-aged children and youth in Dzaleka that are currently out of the formal education programs in the camp. These classes have been attended by over 1,200 youth from Dzaleka over the last four years. 

Another program we plan to implement is, Hairdressing & Cosmetology Vocational Service Training for out-of-school girls because there are so many aged school girls that are out of school in the Dzaleka refugee camp due to the nature and demands of camp life. Due to this fact, these girls are often left idle in a mindset of helplessness and they face violations of their rights such as early marriage, sexual violence, and poverty. Their future remains uncertain. For that reason, this program focuses on minimizing gender disparities in education and encourages girls' development. In other words, this training aims for sustainable change that affects girls today in Dzaleka camp. This program will enable them to address the barriers they face over innovative paths that focus on sustainable outcomes and to be self-reliant.

We conduct youth empowerment programs such as certificate courses, Vocation Service Training, community awareness campaigns, workshop training to increase the understanding and capacity to protect children. Likewise, we explain child protection issues and spread knowledge to people to understand the risks of child abuse and make an effort to provide appropriate service to their children

Therefore, We are currently running English as a Foreign Language Program to allow new arrivals children and out-of-school youth struggling to access education in formal schools as well as to increase the intellectual capacity that will help them to enroll in other projects offered in English in Dzaleka. In addition, to allow them to start seeing connections they did not know before and be eventually be able to engage in camp activities to access livelihoods opportunities that require English.

We use internet to improve the quality of education in many ways. it opens doorways to educational resources, and increasing opportunities for learning in and beyond the classroom. Teachers use online materials to prepare lessons, and students to extend their range of learning.

We offer computer class to teach valuable computer skills to community members with no knowledge or previous experience with computers. This course is also designed to promote response to the professional development and livelihood needs of refugees and other forcibly displaced people.

The project offers professional, vocational and technical skills training to Refugees, Asylum Seekers, and Host Community Members in or around Dzaleka Refugee Camp. The project prepares participants with knowledge and skills and supports their integration into the job market and other livelihoods avenues.

We have been running the English as Foreign Language Program in the Dzaleka refugee camp since September 2017, using Jesuit Refugee Service- Professional & Post-secondary (PPSE) Malawi Curriculum. These classes have been attended by over 1200 children and youth from Dzaleka with eight classes.

 As the outcome of this program so far, 115 graduates from our classes went to access formal education programs around the camp including, Secondary School, Post-Secondary Education Programs, Professional Certificates, and Diploma Programs. Likewise, they can do jobs that require their English language skills so that, they can sustain their livelihood in the refugee camp.

 We were inspired to implement these activities because new arrivals in the Dzaleka refugee camp have been struggling to have access to education in formal schools. It is my understanding from a recent UNHCR survey, that there are over 11,000 school-aged children in Dzaleka that are currently out of the formal education programs due to full capacity, with around 3,000 of these children and youth in an independent school in the camp.

 In this regard, we continue implementing these activities to increase the intellectual capacity of children and youth within Dzeleka. Our goal is to allow new arrival children and youth to start seeing connections they did not know before, and eventually be able to engage in camp activities and educational opportunities that require them to speak English. 

As a team, we work together to make all the action plans and involve our clients in the planning meeting to make the plan activities are in the best interest of the clients. 

Inadequate of financial and resources to buy Stationary and Staffing/ Teachers Incentive.

We conduct youth empowerment programs such as certificate courses, Vocation Service Training, community awareness campaigns, workshop training to increase the understanding and capacity to protect children. Likewise, we explain child protection issues and spread knowledge to people to understand the risks of child abuse and make an effort to provide appropriate service to their children

We have to have students graduate from the program and be equipped with English skills as well as increase the intellectual capacity that will help them to enroll in other projects offered in English in Dzaleka. In addition, to allow them to start seeing connections they did not know before and be eventually be able to engage in camp activities to access livelihoods opportunities that require English.

For the next year, we plan to implement the

Provide vocational service training to out of schoolgirl children in the community

we can do better and more to empower girls through addressing barriers they face through innovative paths that focus on sustainable outcomes. This program focuses on minimizing gender disparities in education and encourages the girl’s development

This program aims for sustainable change that affects girls today, as they become the women and leaders of tomorrow. CRS supports the most marginalized girls to complete their education empowers adolescent girls to become agents of change, and to be a part of girls ‘future in a way that empowers them and their rights.

Hairdressing & Cosmetology Vocational Service Training for out-of-school girls because there are so many aged school girls that are out of school in the Dzaleka refugee camp due to the nature and demands of camp life. Due to this fact, these girls are often left idle in a mindset of helplessness and they face violations of their rights such as early marriage, sexual violence, and poverty. Their future remains uncertain. For that reason, this program focuses on minimizing gender disparities in education and encourages girls' development. In other words, this training aims for sustainable change that affects girls today in Dzaleka camp. This program will enable them to address the barriers they face over innovative paths that focus on sustainable outcomes and being self-reliant.

For this reason, our dream for the next 5 years is to have our own built school/Social Training Centre here in Dzaleka Refugee Camp where we will be providing youth empowerment programs like computer, photography, carpentry with more youth-based initiatives programs.

We have been running the English as a Foreign Language Program in Dzaleka since September 2017, using a curriculum from Jesuit Refugee Service’s Professional & Post-Secondary Education program. These classes have been attended by over 1,200 youth from Dzaleka over the last four years.

s the outcome of this program so far, 115 graduates from our classes went to access formal education programs around the camp including, Secondary School, Post-Secondary Education Programs, Professional Certificates, and Diploma Programs. Likewise, they can do jobs that require their English language skills so that, they can sustain their livelihood in the refugee camp.

What we do

1. Hosting community awareness campaigns, workshop training; debates, and communication through social, where we increase the understanding and capacity to protect children within the community. There, we explain child protection issues and spread knowledge to people to understand the risks of child abuse and make an effort to provide appropriate service to their children. 

2. Organize various child-friendly spaces activities to increase resilience and children’s abilities to protect themselves when they are at risk

3. Monitoring the child protection committees, Community-based Organizations, Local institutions to know if the services they provide comprise the proper skills and experiences required by child protection. 

4. To find out if child protection services provided are appropriate to the best interest of children, and if they are being planned and carried out at the proper time and accordingly.

5. Cooperating with all community-based organizations, social services; international agencies to ensure child protection programming is focusing on all special interests of vulnerable children6. Advocacy support for children to have their voices heard on issues that are important to them regarding health and social care services, education, etc. How we are doing it. Annual plan activities are scheduled and implemented to develop & direct the operations of the organization regarding child protection work, to help ensure the safety and wellbeing of children within the community.

We use machinery equipment’s irrigation methods where we irrigate our different crops in our gardens to help sustain our projects.  

But also we plan to open a computer class to teach valuable computer skills to community members with no knowledge or previous experience with computers. This course is also designed to promote response to the professional development and livelihood needs of refugees and other forcibly displaced people. The project offers professional, vocational, and technical skills training to Refugees, Asylum Seekers, and Host Community Members in or around Dzaleka Refugee Camp. The project prepares participants with knowledge and skills and supports their integration into the job market and other livelihoods avenues.

We also use the internet to make research on our different teaching resources for the program.

We Make sure regular meetings with staff members and children are taking place in order to identify major issues and challenges related to child protection issues and propose that child protection work could be undertaken to ensure children's matters are being resolved

We are hands open to any new and important idea to enhance a good chance for the best interest of children. Likewise, we are strongly committed to engaging cooperation, mutual respect, in our services, so that to achieve our mission of providing positive lives to children.

We Cooperate with all community-based organizations, social services; international agencies to ensure child protection programming is focusing on all special interests of vulnerable children.

We conduct youth empowerment programs such as certificate courses, Vocation Service Training, community awareness campaigns, workshop training to increase the understanding and capacity to protect children. Likewise, we explain child protection issues and spread knowledge to people to understand the risks of child abuse and make an effort to provide appropriate service to their children.

 Therefore, the idea of starting the English as a Foreign Language Program in Dzaleka came in 2017 when we observed new arrivals of children and youth as well as out-of-school youth struggling to access education in formal schools due to full capacity.  To a recent UNHCR survey, there are over 11,000 school-aged children and youth in Dzaleka that are currently out of the formal education programs in the camp. These classes have been attended by over 1,200 youth from Dzaleka over the last four years. 

We continue implementing these activities to increase the intellectual capacity of children and youth within Dzeleka. Our goal is to allow new arrival children and youth to start seeing connections they did not know before, and eventually be able to engage in camp activities and educational opportunities that require them to speak English.

1.      Develop more partnership networks

2.       Build more capacity building for our staff

3.       Increase the N0 of our volunteers

4.       Develop a marketing and communication plan

5.       Develop diversification of our funding base

6.       Open more doors to private donors

7.       Annual fundraising events

8.       Open commercial activities to generate revenue

We began these activities using our own experience and ability voluntarily, with some stationary resources, teachers’ stipends, and capacity-building training provided intermittently by the Southern New Hampshire University and the Jesuit Refugee Service Professional & Post-secondary