ENGLISH LANGUAGE CHANGING THE LIVES OF VULNERABLE WOMEN IN DADAAB REFUGEE CAMP

Dadaab refugee camp is the largest refugee complex in the world according to UNHCR with more than 446,000 refugees. Of late, it has received a lot of media attention due the huge numbers of new Somali refugee arrivals who have been streaming into the camps at the rate of 1,300 people per day.  The majority of the refugees are fleeing their country due to drought. Most of these refugees arrive in dilapidated conditions but the agencies working in Dadaab are doing their best to ensure aid reaches these vulnerable communities on time. But for the more seasoned refugees who arrived here earlier, theirs has been to try and improve their lives, doing all they can to make life in Dadaab more tolerable, since it has become like a home to them. Learning of English language is top in the list of the things these refugees are doing to make sure their lives are better each day, and vulnerable women are taking full advantage of the classes offered by Windle Trust Kenya in Dadaab. They are well aware that lack of a means to express themselves effectively to the authorities is normally an incentive for their exploitation by the more privileged members of the society, especially men.

It is on this premise that Windle Trust Kenya started English language classes for vulnerable women. Each year, Windle Trust trains a minimum of 240 vulnerable women in communicative skills in English in Dadaab refugee camp. They undergo a six-month intensive training in English language which aims at building confidence in their use of English language. By the end of this course, it is expected they would have been able to express themselves effectively in English.

This course has had a very positive reception from women in the three camps (Dagahaley, Ifo and Hagadera), and scores of vulnerable women storm registration centers seeking to be enrolled at the beginning of each session. Even after this, more women keep streaming in asking to be included in the classes. This has been an indication that the communities living in the refugee camps have started recognizing the value of education.

Knowledge of English language is seen to be a great asset for any refugee in Dadaab. Aray Okoty Ogala, who is a 25 year old student at upper intermediate level, is of the opinion that refugee emancipation starts with giving them power to communicate. It is only then they will tell the world of the miseries they go through in the refugee camps. “It hurts when you know that for you to be heard by those who are in a position to assist, you must use a translator.” She explains. According to her, you must make peace with the translator first before you present your case. Even then, you are never sure these people capture the meaning you intended. Furthermore, most of these translators are often strangers.

But for the women who have been through Windle Trust English language classes, using translators is a thing of the past. To them, this is just a bad memory since they are now able to effectively express themselves in English language. Most of these women continue studying on their own even after the completion of their six-month course. Some even volunteer to translate for their women friends who were not lucky enough to secure a place in the English Language classes whenever they have something to put across to the authorities. Such language empowerment has seen cases of sexual and gender based violence reduce drastically among the women who have participated in these classes.

On top of their ability to communicate effectively whenever they want to put something across to the authorities, women in Dadaab have been getting jobs, thanks to their knowledge of English language. Hakimo Adow Santur joined the English language classes when she could barely write her name. Today, she works with Lutheran World Federation as a social worker. She is a great asset to the organization since she can speak both Somali and English languages. She therefore acts as an important link between the organization and its beneficiaries.

 

 “English language has greatly expanded my world.” She says in an interview. “I have made friends with both national and international staff in Dadaab.” She laments the fact that the English Language Program does not have sufficient capacity to train all the women in the camp. She is however happy that she is not only able to earn a living but also serve her community.

Dadaab refugee camp has to a large extent been a male dominated society. It is men who are meant to make decisions and represent the community in planning meetings. This trend is however changing, with more women learning of English language. Beneficiaries of these classes are now able more than ever before to attend trainings and workshops conducted in English within the camps. They participate effectively in planning meetings held regularly by UNHCR and its implementing partners. They are therefore better able to represent their communities than their male counterparts who are less competent in English language. Nzingamiye Blandine is the second in command in the block hosting Burundi community in Ifo. “I am among the best in English language competence here.” She says proudly. “Most people here use French or mother tongue.” She therefore represents her community in many meetings since she is able to better articulate their concerns. She is the representative of the women in English language classes from her block.

English language will continue growing in popularity among not only the refugee communities in Dadaab, but also those in other camps in English speaking countries in the world. Learning English language will help them to participate effectively in matters that concern their lives and broaden their world. It is also expected that learning this language will reduce their levels of vulnerability, and help them obtain gainful employment both in the camps and in other English speaking countries that they might be resettled in.