“Jambo” – hello in Swahili

Tuesday, Sept 8, 2009

A transport truck passed by and we waited for the dust to settle before continuing on our way... The road to Dzaleka refugee camp is under much construction which makes driving with windows down a high risk for a dusty imprint on the lungs, let alone on clothes and skin at the end of the day. Needless to say, we’ve all started to develop a little cough.

The first person who greeted us was a man who was teaching woodworking to men who’d been living in the camp for most of their life. He spoke in French and most of us could follow his introduction but mostly, we were confused because he spoke to fast. We said ‘a bientot’ and went to visit the women working in the sewing classroom. I met a quiet lady from Congo, she was sewing a green men’s shirt. I wanted to talk more with her but we left fairly soon after we arrived. There will surely be an opportunity for me to do so in the coming months.

Next we visited with the TOEFL students and their teacher, Hannuk. It was great chatting with them. Telling them all about what to expect from University in Canada and how to prepare for the work load demand on your time and energy as well as loneliness, was a lot of information for many to digest in one meeting; I think it helped to put the competitiveness into perspective. Many aspire to be doctors, others business administrators. One would like to be a dentist and another involved in cinematography. Most did not know how difficult it was to get into medical school, I wonder if they will now be reconsidering their aspirations? I am encouraged to think of all I can teach them, guide them. Apparently their greatest fear is loneliness.

After meeting with the students we met with the camp administrator, the big man working for the UNCHR. Interesting meeting indeed, I will save details for another time perhaps. The discussion was about twenty minutes after which, we left and toured the camp with Celest (not her true name in order to preserve anonymity), one of the TOEFL students. She is from Rwanda and is here with her family in Malawi. I’m not sure what her story is but she would like to come to Canada to study business administration and design. I will make a point to work hard with her; I’d like her to pass the test so WUSC will sponsor her in Canada next August.

Celest brought us to the various districts in the camp. It was organized in such a way that we were walking in a labyrinth of thatched brick huts, passing open grills selling samosas, avoiding scattered garbage and animal dung between steps. Some people would find this shocking but I could only embrace it. What an experience to be guided by this refugee student into the world that she’s known for six years now. If only I knew Swahili I could communicate with most of the people who have sought temporary settlement here. For now ‘Jambo’ will do.