Djemirata dares to dream of a future again

In Burkina Faso, around two million people live as internally displaced persons. The country has been politically unstable for years and was hit by two military coups in 2022. This led to a dramatic increase in violence and now an estimated 4.9 million people are in urgent need of Humanitarian Assistance.

For 14-year-old Djemirata Nabalum, violence came very close. Her village was attacked by armed terrorists and she was forced to flee to the town of Kaya in central Burkina Faso. The security situation in Kaya is somewhat better than in the rest of the country and just outside the town is the Tansega Wayalguin IDP camp.

In the refugee camp, Erikshjälpen works together with the local partner organization Organisation Catholique pour le Développment et la Solidarité, OCADES, to support children and families who have fled from armed militias that terrorize large parts of the country.

- We are well looked after and get to take part in fun leisure activities that make us feel good here," she says.

Children's nightmares have disappeared

There is a strong focus on psychosocial work. For example, many of the children in the refugee camp have seen their parents or other adults killed. Together with UNICEF, OCADES and Erikshjälpen run a special activity area, Children's Friendly Space, where children can feel safe and at the same time have access to education and leisure activities.

- Our nightmares disappeared when we started hanging out in the Children's Friendly Space. Now we dream about playing together instead. We are very grateful for that. The whole environment makes me feel more secure," says Djemirata.

Since arriving in Tansega Wayalguin refugee camp, Djemirata has begun to dream of a future as a seamstress - and, of course, of one day moving back home and reuniting with her family.

- When I look ahead five years, I see myself learning to sew and making a living as a seamstress. I also want to pass it on to my future children, just like my mother did, so they can be self-sufficient in the future.

Halidou has met new friends

Around 120,000 people live as internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the city of Kaya, and over 77,000 of them are children under the age of 17. For 15-year-old Halidou Sawadogo, who has fled to the Tansega Wayalguin IDP camp with his family, every morning starts with a visit to the Children's Friendly Space.

In the evenings, he works in the fields to help support his family.

- I have met many new friends at Children's Fiendly Space and we have a lot of fun hanging out together. Despite all the challenges, I try to find the joy in the small things. Children's Friendly Space has meant a lot to me, because I have something to do during the day instead of just thinking about everything that is difficult," he says.

Author: Johan Larsson