Palabek Refugee Resettlement Camp home to nearly 72,000 refugees and asylum seekers
(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries living and working among the refugees at Palabek Refugee Resettlement Camp in the border town of Palabek, Uganda, aim to focus some of their programmatic efforts on young mothers. The camp is currently home to nearly 72,000 refugees and asylum seekers, mostly from South Sudan, and 60% are under age 13. Salesians have been supporting refugees since the opening of the camp in 2016.
According to the rules of the education system in Uganda, students who are pregnant or nursing mothers cannot attend school, which means that many of these young women do not receive the education and training they need.
A Salesian explained, “If they do go to school, they usually stop breastfeeding because they do not have facilities to have their babies nearby when they are in class. This is something unthinkable for many of these young mothers, who do not have other means to feed their babies.”
The Salesian added, “Almost all of these teenage mothers in Palabek have fled war and have not had the time or support they need to develop, improve their self-esteem, or learn how to look after children. They need training and information on how to care for their babies and themselves. It is difficult for them to maintain basic hygiene routines and healthy habits due to the lack of external supports available to them.”
Salesians want to create a safe space for babies to stay while mothers are in class. This would make it easier for these mothers to continue breastfeeding and would give them peace of mind. The goal is to be able to provide skills training and emotional education to promote healthy habits, good hygiene, and higher self-esteem.
The Salesian explained, “We are sure that with a little support and a program dedicated to these young mothers, the future will be better and brighter for all of them. A future full of hope, dreams, and joy for them and their babies. Through Don Bosco, they could overcome the challenges they face, develop their talents, make friends, build peace, train in leadership skills, and be well-equipped for the future.”
###
Sources:
Photo and information courtesy of Salesians of Ireland
ANS – Uganda – The Teenage Mothers of Palabek
Salesian Missions – Uganda
UNHCR – Uganda Refugees