James*, 12, fled Kajokeja in South Sudan in November and lives in Bidi Bidi refugee camp. He fled with his mother and her 4 other children. His father died in South Sudan and so his family is very poor. The nearest free school is 4k away but the government school is only 1.5k away. However his mum cannot afford the fees (12,000 shillings per term).
James* is too old for Save the Children’s Early learning classes & there is not yet funding for an accelerated learning programme in Bidi Bid camp which would be ideal.
“In South Sudan, the war happened.
“I like Uganda because there is no war.
“I liked school in South Sudan because I liked to ride in the vehicle.
“I like maths and English
“I want to be a doctor because I want to help people who are sick.
“But my mother cannot afford to pay for school
“I feel bad because the other kids go to school. I still feel I will become a doctor though.
“My mother doesn’t work.
“I do not do anything during the day. I am always bored.
“I read books I get from my neighbours who go to school.
“I left my books in South Sudan but the schools were closed during the war. I like reading English stories. “
Photographed at the Ariwa Child Friendly Space, Bidibidi Refugee Settlement, Uganda. May 29, 2017.
