School in Katumba Camp

January 7, 2025

Emily Klooster

Our goals:

Norbert Mbwiliza is a former refugee working in the oldest refugee camp in the world.

Born a refugee, Norbert Mbwiliza now runs a Christian NGO in Katumba Camp, the oldest refugee camp in the world. Katumba hosts 84,000 refugees who have fled civil unrest in Burundi, and many residents, especially children, have spent their entire lives in the camp.

Norbert’s NGO operates two schools in Katumba to serve the many children there who have no other option for receiving an education: Msaginya Primary and Tumaini Secondary, made up of 1,500 displaced children and youth. Norbert’s NGO needs funds to grow and maintain these valuable projects. His team conducted interviews with parents in Katumba this past September, gathering their thoughts on the value of these two schools for their children.

Parents say their children have suffered due to lack of education

“I’m a parent of a student named John William,” said William Ariya, a resident of Katumba. “Because they have no school option, our children are failing to meet their goals. They want to study computers and other subjects. If they get access to computers, I think they will be able to learn in a good environment, and they will be successful.”

Ariya says other challenges at the school include basics such as school uniforms and food, which families cannot always afford.

“If we get the support we need, it will be good for the children who are Christians here,” he said.

Norbert knows firsthand the challenges children and their families face in Katumba Camp, and he too received the benefit of education there. “I am delighted by the success of the projects at these two schools, where I also studied from first grade to seventh grade,” wrote Norbert. “I believe God will open doors for them.”

Let it be so. •

Refugee Stats:

There are 110 million forcibly displaced people worldwide due to persecution, conflict, and human rights violations.
Nearly half of all displaced people are children, and almost half of those children are not in school.
52% of all displaced people are from three countries: Syria, Afghanistan, and Ukraine.
75% of refugees are hosted in low and middle-income countries, many in the Middle East.

Source: UNHCR 2023