Welcome to a refugee classroom

"Whitney, we are so glad you came to our classroom! Today, you will experience kinesthetic, auditory, and visual learning. You are going to love it!"

A third-grade classroom in Dzaleka refugee camp

I walk into a third-grade classroom in a school operated by one of our partner churches in Dzaleka refugee camp. I am greeted with a sea of smiles from the kids and a warm welcome from Henry, their teacher.

Forty-five students dressed in neatly pressed uniforms sit on backless benches studying math. They pick up on Henry's welcome, "Hi, hi!" Excited greetings fill the room as they jostle each other on their benches. I sit down as discreetly as I can at the back of the room. Henry calls his classroom back to order.

Giving them a chance at a brighter future

Henry is one of the teachers in Dzaleka refugee camp who attended our teacher training last year. As I sit and watch the joy, excitement, discipline, camaraderie, and wisdom in that room, the holes in the floor, the dustiness, and the drab lighting fade into the background. I see the beauty of Henry's excitement in teaching these kids. I see the children at ease, laughing, taking correction without fear, and learning with excellence. His words from last year come back to me.

I asked him why he did what he did despite the lack of resources and poor pay. He responded, "Well, because I have to believe that teaching can mean a better future for someone. And I love being with these kids and maybe helping give them a chance at a brighter future."

I am struck by the power of a classroom.

I have no idea what these children will go home to this afternoon as they walk through the dusty paths between mud-brick houses where many of the people live on the brink of starvation, without access to even the barest necessities of life. And I am struck again by the power of a classroom to bring trauma stabilization, to be a place where these students are more than refugees.

I left the classroom delighted, uplifted and inspired.

In this place, I see an excellent classroom with healthy students and an incredibly dedicated teacher who is proud to be their teacher. Henry has created an environment where all forty-five children know that they matter. These students are bright, happy learners with purpose, connection, and worth. I leave the classroom delighted, uplifted and inspired.

Strengthening resilience and joy

This is the power of good teaching and the transformative effect of loving connection. Henry teaches in a most challenging environment. The future is filled with uncertainty for both himself and his students. And yet, he manages to build resilience and foster a joy of learning in his classroom. Hope shines brightly despite the darkness.

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