Spreading the love of Christ at the Malinzda Refugee Camp in Eswatini
On Wednesday January 22nd, we the missionary sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and four youth members of St. Philips went to volunteer at Malindza refugee camp. It was an eye-opening experience that reminded us of the importance of community and support. Since it was a health screening day, we helped with registration, translations (Swahili to English) and connected with the families listening to their stories and sharing hope and smiles. It is moments like these that truly highlight the power of kindness and empathy. We left feeling grateful for the opportunity of volunteering and inspired to continue making difference in the lives of others.
Sr. Evarlyne Ndeti, Candidates Maureen & Ruth, red cross volunteer Buhle and St. Philips youth members.
Nosipho Dlamini, a youth member of St. Philip parish, shares her experience.
Most people define refugee camp as a temporary settlement proven to provide shelter, food and basic services to individuals who have fled from their home countries due to persecution, conflicts, or violence. Malindza Refugee Camp currently have people mostly from Rwanda, Burundi, Mozambique, and a few from Tanzania due to the disruption and ongoing unrest.
I was moved with pity at the camp: the improper housing, insecurity, harmful exposures which include diseases and poor living conditions. I then discovered more challenges faced by the refugees from the interactions we had with them, some of these challenges included insufficient food due to the high number of the refugees within the camp, disrupted education, unemployment, limited medical services, language barriers and more.
As a Public Health practitioner, I discovered psychosocial issues, the trauma of displacement affecting children's mental health and their ability to learn. Also overcrowded living conditions which eased the spread of diseases and lead to food insecurity. With the help of the government and non-profit organizations such as World Vision, PEPFAR, Georgetown and Baphalali and the Red Cross, people received medical services for free on that day.
Helping in the camp made me realize how most of us are ungrateful for the things God has blessed us with. Looking at the living conditions, their dress code, the insufficient and nutritionally inadequate food made me learn to be more appreciative. Being a volunteer made me happy and made me love the health career even more. The refugees appreciated the least services they got. And due to the language barrier, interpreters were provided, even the sisters were asked to interpret for those who spoke Swahili. It was indeed a wonderful experience, especially for me as I am more invested in health care.
“Closeness to the poor, the refugee, the immigrant, the sick, and all God’s other poor, will teach us a different way of resting, one which is more Christian and generous.”
