Uganda welcomes the largest number of refugees in Africa, providing refuge for families fleeing armed conflict, violence and political instability. In fact, Uganda hosts over 1.7 million refugees and asylum seekers.
Elizabeth from Sudan knows firsthand what it means to escape, in more ways than one. But she and her family, especially her young son Dominic, also know what it means to find true refuge.
Escaping Conflict in More Ways Than One
When Elizabeth escaped South Sudan in 2015, she was not just fleeing war. She was fleeing a different type of conflict, the kind that happens more quietly within families and traditions.
Elizabeth grew up in a culture where child marriage was common, and girls were often married off to the highest bidder. When Elizabeth was 18, her father arranged a marriage between her and another man his own age in exchange for 200 cows. But Elizabeth had already fallen in love with a young man named James, so she refused.
Her decision incited a storm. Her tribe’s elders, armed and angry, stormed to James’ home, demanding Elizabeth’s return. The young man’s family rallied and managed to gather 70 cows from his clan — far less than the traditional bride price but enough to avoid a violent clash.
While Elizabeth and James were happy to be married, conflict didn’t cease.
Over the years, they had five children together. As they welcomed and raised their children, Elizabeth was determined to follow her own convictions rather than tradition.
But as she made decisions she felt were best for her little ones, the tensions between her and her in-laws grew — and it sometimes drove a wedge between her and her husband.
Elizabeth & Her Family Flee South Sudan
Then civil war swept into Elizabeth’s Sudanese community. Watching with horror as she saw families torn apart, Elizabeth gathered what she could and fled with her family in search of safety.
Eventually, the family found shelter within Nyumanzi, a refugee settlement in the West Nile region of northern Uganda.
Living in a Ugandan Refugee Camp
Uprooted from their home and jobs, the family of seven had no stable source of income, leaving them in poverty. But even the Ugandan refugee camp wasn’t a complete refuge from violence. Tensions often rose between ethnic groups, erupting into fights.
With James unemployed, Elizabeth began making and selling liquid soap to survive, supplementing their income with farming during the rainy season.
During this grueling work, Elizabeth often found herself thinking about her past and daydreaming about her children’s futures. She’d fought too hard for too long to allow the same cycles she saw back home to be repeated in her children’s lives. She was determined that her son Dominic and all his siblings would get an education so they could reach for more.
But no matter how hard Elizabeth worked, it wasn’t enough. Some days, the family couldn’t even afford food, let alone school fees, uniforms and supplies. To enroll her children in school, she would need at least $59 for fees and $10 for basic school requirements for each child — much more than Elizabeth had to give.
Refuge Comes in the Form of a Brighter Future
Compassion Uganda brought a new pilot program to the Nyumanzi refugee settlement — one that would love and care for displaced children and their families.
In partnership with local churches around the settlement, Compassion began offering education, medical care and other critical resources to impacted children, all in Jesus’ name.
Finally, Elizabeth saw a way for her dream to come true: Dominic was enrolled in the program, opening a path for him to get a quality education.
“I wanted my son to be educated so that he can help himself and not be impoverished. I feel happy because if someone has paid for his education, it’s invaluable. It’s an investment in the future I hope for him.” — Elizabeth
With the gift of an education, things began to change for Dominic. He loved going to school so much that his mother didn’t even have to wake him up each day — he was already awake, buzzing with excitement to learn. Elizabeth also noticed other positive changes almost immediately.
“Dominic used to be so violent among his siblings. He would want to beat and fight other children. But since being in the Compassion program, he has calmed down. He loves to pray, even before we eat, and he teaches us the things he learns.” — Elizabeth
While some children in the Ugandan refugee camp have dropped out of school, given in to the violence or become involved in crime, Elizabeth is confident that Dominic’s story will be different.
He’s growing into a young man who no longer acts in anger but chooses peace.
“I like hearing stories about Jesus and going to the center to read the Bible. The Bible says we shouldn’t fight and should be kind to others.” — Dominic, 7
Both Elizabeth and Dominic now look to the future with hope for what it will bring. For Elizabeth, it’s watching her children become all they can be. And for Dominic, it’s growing up in safety and peace with the ability to chase his dreams.
Sometimes, refuge comes as a shelter from violence. But it can also come in the form of support that helps you rise above your circumstances. And that’s what Elizabeth and her family found in Compassion.
“We believe that refugees are deeply close to the heart of God (Deuteronomy 10:18-19). Throughout Scripture, we see God’s compassion for the vulnerable, the displaced and the marginalized. Serving refugee communities is an act of obedience to God’s command to love our neighbors and restore hope and dignity.” — Emmanuel Ahimbisibwe, National Director of Compassion Africa
Pray for Elizabeth’s Family & the Ugandan Refugee Camp
At Compassion, we believe prayer is powerful. When we lift up others to the heavenly Father, we can trust that he hears us (1 John 5:14). Will you join us in lifting up Elizabeth’s family and those living around them in the community?
Pray that Elizabeth’s children will all receive access to education and the opportunity to become what God created them to be.
Pray for the refugees within the settlement who are still going without nutritious food, medical care and other necessities.
Pray that Compassion’s work in Africa would multiply, reaching even more children and their families.
