Peace: Elena, welcome back. You worked with us for a full year in 2023 and have since been a member of the advisory board. Have things changed since your last visit?
Elena: Thank you, Peace, it’s really good to be back. Yes, things have definitely changed. You can feel it as soon as you arrive. The population in the settlement has increased, largely due to the recent influx of refugees from Sudan. With that, there has also been a visible growth in small businesses, such as bakeries selling Arabic bread, which bring a sense of cultural diversity and resilience.
At the same time, there are serious challenges. I’ve heard from staff and community members that funding has dropped significantly, particularly following recent U.S. funding cuts. This has had immediate consequences: fewer services, reduced staff, and increased pressure on systems like healthcare and education. Teachers are overworked, and access to essential services has become more limited.
Despite all this, I’m genuinely impressed by how GRI has remained resilient. Not only are the established programs still running, but new initiatives have also been implemented. Some of the ideas we discussed back in 2023 have now become reality, and that is incredibly rewarding to witness.
Peace: Can you tell us more about your experience on the ground?
Elena: One of the highlights was the warm welcome I received at Ubuntu Model Primary School. The children prepared traditional dances and songs; it was such a joyful and moving moment.
After that, I joined the Environmental Kids Club (EKC). On that day, students were preparing soil and planting vegetables in nursery beds. It was inspiring to see how hands-on the activities are. Through EKC, children not only learn about environmental protection but also gain practical agricultural skills.
Back in 2023, we worked on introducing extracurricular clubs such as Music, Dance and Drama, as well as EKC. Seeing how active and engaged the students are today clearly shows that these initiatives have taken root and are thriving, with 70 students participating in the clubs.
Peace: Besides the educational activities, you also visited livelihood programs. What caught your attention there?
Elena: I was particularly impressed by the ICT centre. It is equipped with laptops and tablets and supported by trained staff who provide digital skills training, especially for refugee women.
What makes this program especially impactful is its focus. It targets stay-at-home mothers and girls who have dropped out of school. They are learning basic digital literacy and marketing skills that they can directly apply to strengthen their small businesses. It’s a practical and empowering approach to improving livelihoods, having reached over 150 participants, including learners and teachers of Ubuntu Model Primary School.
Peace: How was your visit to the gardens?
Elena: That was another highlight. Back in 2023, there was no irrigation system, which made farming during the dry season very difficult. Now, thanks to strong partnerships, there is reliable access to water in the community gardens. This has completely transformed what is possible, farmers can now cultivate their land year-round.
I also had the opportunity to see how the passion fruit project has developed. When I was here before, it had just been launched. Now, farmers across the settlement are growing passion fruit around their homes, creating an additional source of income. Some of the gardens are incredibly well maintained; you can really see the pride and effort people put into them, with 20 livelihood followers involved.
Peace: Anything you’d like to add?
Elena: I’ve often been critical of so-called development work and foreign aid. But what I truly appreciate about GRI is its approach. The focus is on local solutions to local challenges, with sustainability at the core of every project, whether environmental or economic.
It’s not about short-term fixes; it’s about building systems and skills that last. Coming back and seeing that in action has been both reassuring and inspiring.