Empowering refugee youth through peer mentorship

Ubah began her education in 2017 at Midnimo primary school in class 3, at the age of 11 years which gave her an opportunity to start a new page of her life.

Ubah is a bright student, and good in public speaking, according to her environmental club patron. After seeing how her friends had benefitted from the peer-to-peer mentorship program in the previous year, she approached the club patron who recommended her to enroll into the program where she was part of the monthly protection sessions at the school from June to October 2022.

She attended five learners led sessions where Uber and other participants discussed about child rights, positive coping, stress management, future aspirations (SMART goals), Communication, problem-solving, decision-making skills as well discussions on common challenges faced by young women like her living in the camp, for example; school dropouts, teen pregnancy and forced marriage.

Ubah says, this made her realize the importance of education and after learning about having SMART goals, she has remained focused and determined to achieve them.

During the peer-to-peer sessions, Ubah is attentive, and curious about the various topics discussed especially child rights, future aspirations, and career choices. Ubah aspires to be a prominent politician who can advocate the rights of the marginalized, vulnerable people in her home country as well as the rest of the world.

“Many girls have been pushed into survival sex by circumstances and are suffering in the blocks due to lack of parental/family support” she went on and encouraged her peers during one of the sessions…
“…our dreams can be turned into reality by hoping for the best and not giving up easily”

Currently, she takes time to lead on talks to her peers on SGBV, child rights, and importance of education with other girls over meals at breaktime.
In 2022, 189 learners took part in the sessions and her hope is that the program will extend to many other schools in the camps.