Higher Education Resource Services-East Africa (HERS-EA), in partnership with Gulu University, undertook a life-changing pre-Academy visit to the Pagirinya Refugee Settlement in Northern Uganda on July 19th, 2024. This visit was a key preparatory activity leading up to the 7th HERS-EA Academy, which took place at Gulu University from July 20th to 25th, 2024. The objective was to explore cross-cutting themes for collaborative research within and between participating institutions across Africa and the USA.
During the visit, the delegation interacted with the Settlement leadership and engaged directly with the refugee community. The majority of the refugees originate from South Sudan, and they are of the Dinka and Nuer tribes. The deep conversations uncovered the complex realities of life in the settlement. The encounter facilitated meaningful exchanges between the researchers and residents; and encouraged a greater understanding of the challenges and resilience within the refugee population. The immersive experience highlighted the individual and collective narratives of the refugees and enabled the researchers to begin to understand the lived experiences of the community. This visit not only enriched the preparatory process for the research angle of the Academy but also set a compassionate and informed foundation for addressing some of the issues faced by refugees in subsequent discussions and initiatives.
The delegation included Prof. Margaret Loy Khaitsa, HERS-EA Board Chair; Dr. Naomi Lumutenga, Executive Director of HERS-EA; Dr. Gennet Zewide, former Ethiopian Ambassador to India, and Minister of Education; Prof. Menah Pratt, Vice President for Strategic Affairs and Diversity and Professor of Education at Virginia Tech; Assoc. Prof. Komakech Daniel, Associate Professor of Applied Philosophy and Chief of the Directorate of Research and Graduate Training at Gulu University; Dr. Dionne M. Rosser-Mims, Campus Vice Chancellor at Troy University; and her Ph.D. student Ms. Barbara Ann Steger who is also Director of Adult Education, Wallace Community College; Dr. Marygorety Akinyi, Research Associate, and Lecturer at the University of Nairobi and HERS-EA board member; Ms. Shauncey Hill, Director of Projects and Strategic Planning at Mississippi State University; Mrs. Anny Katabaazi-Bwengye, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Kabale University, and women researchers from Makerere University, Gulu University, Kyambogo University, Uganda Christian University, and Lira University who were due to participate in the 7th HERS-EA Leadership Academy at Gulu University.
Group Photo of the Delegation and Girls from Pagirinya Refugee Settlement
The settlement, home to over 32,000 individuals comprising both refugees and host families, operates under a structured internal leadership system. Elections, held every two years by secret ballot, determine 12 leadership positions, with six specifically reserved for women, while the remaining six are open to competitive elections. Notably, 60% of the leadership is held by women, an achievement recognized by the UNHCR. The settlement reflects both generalized representations of refugee life and the unique lived experiences of its residents.
In a context where 86% of households are headed by women, daily life is marked by remarkable resilience amidst complex challenges such as food security, access to education, and securing basic livelihoods. Despite their own limitations, the host communities have demonstrated extraordinary generosity by allocating land to refugees for vegetable gardens, supplementing the staple flour distributed to each family. This philanthropic act exemplifies the resilience and compassion within the host communities, who, despite their economic struggles, extend significant support to those in need. Such kindness fosters communal support and mutual aid, bridging the divisions caused by displacement. The integration between refugee and host families is also evident in schools, where children from both groups attend the same secondary institutions. These communities exemplify the power of human connection and collective action in addressing the urgent needs of displaced populations.
Despite the harmony at play, there are challenges faced by residents and the management team. A recent abrupt reduction in food rations has significantly intensified the hardships faced by these families. Women who previously supplemented their incomes by selling part of their food allocation to finance their children’s secondary education are now struggling to meet even their most basic needs, including food and tuition fees. This aggravation of their struggles emphasizes the significant impact of funding shortages on their daily lives. There were cultural challenges too, that have led to the need for establishing a Police Post to manage disputes. One speaker bluntly illustrated the ongoing cultural tensions among the Dinka and Nuer using a saying, which, translated verbatim means ‘when a Dinka and Nuer urinate in the same jar, their urine does not mix’.
The Settlement Superintendent explained the imploding crisis of teenage pregnancies that is stretching resources further because there is a need to keep the girls in school, while simultaneously providing maternal health care to the young expectant mothers, their infants, and carers. Dr. Marygorety Akinyi’s impromptu lesson in ‘sex education and sexual reproductive health’ was well received and an apéritif for the huge need in this area. There were family tensions too, between mothers and their daughters who had acquired smartphones from ‘mysterious’ sponsors and become unruly. Petty thefts had become more regular and the group attributed these to food shortages. There were snippets of embedded traumas too, from previous exposure to killings and brutal torture of loved ones. Although the women were open to sharing, this subject was tactfully shut down, due to ethical research requirements.
A group dance involving the delegation and the women from the Pagiranya refugee settlement
Despite these severe challenges, the visit revealed women and young girls with remarkable resolve and vision. Their stories, marked by a blend of sorrow, hope, and ambition. To the visitors who had been welcomed and seen off with song and dance, the short visit had been both heart-wrenching and inspiring. The initial part of the return journey was marked with silence, stares through windows and the odd tear. The next part of the journey was buzzing with ideas about possible participatory research topics and how to help with some of the urgent cases. These women and girls, despite the adversity they face, exhibit an extraordinary sense of purpose and determination. They choose not to wallow in the challenges they face. They choose to express gratitude to the Uganda government for letting them into a space where they do not hear gunshots. Their resilience shines through their narratives. They offer a glimpse into their dreams and aspirations amid their ongoing struggles. This juxtaposition of hardship and hope reveals the pressing need for continued support and intervention, as well as the incredible strength and potential that persists within these young individuals despite their challenging circumstances.
One particularly inspiring narrative emerged from a young woman whose determination to pursue higher education and become a politician in South Sudan represents the exceptional, yet often overlooked, potential within refugee communities. Despite the severe hardships she faces, including limited access to educational resources and financial instability, her resolve remains steadfast. This young woman yearns for higher education, not just for personal advancement, but with the intent to use her knowledge and skills to effect meaningful change in her home country. Her ambition to return to South Sudan and contribute to the political landscape is a convincing illustration of the strength and drive that exist among refugees. It highlights the resilience and forward-thinking mindset that can flourish even in the most challenging circumstances. Her story is a poignant reminder of the untapped potential within these communities and the importance of providing the necessary support and opportunities to empower such individuals. This narrative shows the transformative impact that education and opportunity can have, to enable refugees to not only overcome their immediate challenges but also to envision and work towards a brighter future for themselves and their countries.
Prior to these revelations, HERS-EA, in partnership with FAWE and ACER UK, had just embarked on a three-year project, supported by Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC), aimed at developing a comprehensive curriculum tailored to the educational and empowerment needs of refugee communities. This project is designed to offer education, vocational skills, and personal development opportunities to individuals in these settlements. By focusing on both immediate educational needs and long-term skill-building, the initiative seeks to create a scalable replicable framework that supports the holistic development of refugees, wherever they are.
Furthermore, this initiative will be expanded to include refugee settlements in Kenya and Ethiopia. By implementing this curriculum across multiple regions, the project aims to unlock the potential of refugees and empower them to contribute meaningfully to their communities. Through this collaborative effort, HERS-EA and her partners expect to deliver an adaptable educational model that addresses the current diverse needs of refugee populations, develops resilience, and supports their aspirations for a better future.
Dr. Gennet Zewide, a founding member of FAWE Ethiopia who was our 7th HERS-EA Leadership Academy Keynote Speaker, bonding with a child from one of the families at the Pagirinya refugee settlement.
We invite those who resonate with this mission to join us in making a positive impact. Together, we can help rewrite the narrative around refugee communities that highlights their extraordinary strength and potential. If you are interested in contributing to this transformative initiative, please get in touch via info@hersea.org or donate via the ‘Donate’ button on our website. We welcome contributions in cash, in kind, and, above all, ideas. Finally, we are currently recruiting researchers; you can apply for the Research Lead and Research Assistant positions. Detailed job descriptions and application links are available via the links below:
● Research Leads (3 Positions): https://www.hersea.org/careers
● Research Assistants (9 Positions): https://www.hersea.org/careers