Resilience Through Education: Santina’s Journey in Uganda’s Rhino Refugee Camp
Like many young people growing up in Uganda’s Rhino refugee settlement, Santina’s life has been shaped by resilience. Her story reflects perseverance in the face of behavioral, environmental, and systemic challenges, and a continual search for hope despite ongoing hardship.
At just thirteen years old, Santina is already a survivor. She escaped the conflict in South Sudan alongside her mother, five sisters, and two brothers, eventually finding safety in Uganda. While life in the settlement is difficult for many families, Santina’s greatest challenges began much earlier. At the age of six, she developed a severe health condition that affected both her physical mobility and cognitive development. Limited accessibility within the camp made daily life and learning even more challenging for her.
Her mother recalls the incident that altered Santina’s life forever. It began with an intense fever that left the left side of Santina’s body paralyzed. “She couldn’t walk beyond the yard by herself,” her mother says. “Even simple chores like cooking or sweeping were impossible for her.”
Yet Santina refused to give up. Four years ago, she enrolled in a primary school located two kilometers from her home. Today, she continues her education with the help of an innovative initiative led by Humanity & Inclusion (HI), supported by funding from Education Cannot Wait (ECW), the United Nations’ global fund dedicated to education in emergencies and prolonged crises.
Through ECW’s First Emergency Response grant, HI provided essential learning tools such as books, pens, pencils, puzzles, and games. These resources were carefully selected to support Santina’s learning needs and build her confidence.
“I love reading and writing,” Santina shares. “I also enjoy playing football with my friends—all of them are girls. I’m happy because my left hand used to be weak, but now I can use it.”
HI’s occupational and physical therapists worked closely with Santina, offering personalized support to strengthen her independence. She learned how to dress herself and use the toilet without assistance. Activities like filling bottles with both hands helped improve her fine motor skills, while drawing with crayons enhanced her upper-body strength and hand-eye coordination.
“Now I can move around the school freely,” Santina says with pride.
Her teachers also play an important role in her progress. They ensure she sits at the front of the classroom so she can clearly see the board and provide adapted learning tools, including exercise books, pencil grips, and a slanted writing surface.
Uganda is home to the largest refugee population in sub-Saharan Africa, placing immense strain on essential services. The country also faces frequent climate-related challenges such as flooding and landslides, further complicating living conditions.
Despite everything, Santina continues to dream big. “I want to study all the way to university,” she says. “One day, I want to become a pastor and serve my community.”
Santina’s journey highlights the strength, determination, and compassion that every child deserves to nurture their potential, no matter the barriers they face.
Since 2017, Education Cannot Wait has partnered with organizations to expand access to safe, high-quality, and inclusive education for refugee and host-community children and adolescents. These efforts include mental health and psychosocial support, inclusive learning for children with disabilities, gender equality initiatives, and assistance for students, teachers, and caregivers alike.
At just thirteen years old, Santina is already a survivor. She escaped the conflict in South Sudan alongside her mother, five sisters, and two brothers, eventually finding safety in Uganda. While life in the settlement is difficult for many families, Santina’s greatest challenges began much earlier. At the age of six, she developed a severe health condition that affected both her physical mobility and cognitive development. Limited accessibility within the camp made daily life and learning even more challenging for her.
Her mother recalls the incident that altered Santina’s life forever. It began with an intense fever that left the left side of Santina’s body paralyzed. “She couldn’t walk beyond the yard by herself,” her mother says. “Even simple chores like cooking or sweeping were impossible for her.”
Yet Santina refused to give up. Four years ago, she enrolled in a primary school located two kilometers from her home. Today, she continues her education with the help of an innovative initiative led by Humanity & Inclusion (HI), supported by funding from Education Cannot Wait (ECW), the United Nations’ global fund dedicated to education in emergencies and prolonged crises.
Through ECW’s First Emergency Response grant, HI provided essential learning tools such as books, pens, pencils, puzzles, and games. These resources were carefully selected to support Santina’s learning needs and build her confidence.
“I love reading and writing,” Santina shares. “I also enjoy playing football with my friends—all of them are girls. I’m happy because my left hand used to be weak, but now I can use it.”
HI’s occupational and physical therapists worked closely with Santina, offering personalized support to strengthen her independence. She learned how to dress herself and use the toilet without assistance. Activities like filling bottles with both hands helped improve her fine motor skills, while drawing with crayons enhanced her upper-body strength and hand-eye coordination.
“Now I can move around the school freely,” Santina says with pride.
Her teachers also play an important role in her progress. They ensure she sits at the front of the classroom so she can clearly see the board and provide adapted learning tools, including exercise books, pencil grips, and a slanted writing surface.
Uganda is home to the largest refugee population in sub-Saharan Africa, placing immense strain on essential services. The country also faces frequent climate-related challenges such as flooding and landslides, further complicating living conditions.
Despite everything, Santina continues to dream big. “I want to study all the way to university,” she says. “One day, I want to become a pastor and serve my community.”
Santina’s journey highlights the strength, determination, and compassion that every child deserves to nurture their potential, no matter the barriers they face.
Since 2017, Education Cannot Wait has partnered with organizations to expand access to safe, high-quality, and inclusive education for refugee and host-community children and adolescents. These efforts include mental health and psychosocial support, inclusive learning for children with disabilities, gender equality initiatives, and assistance for students, teachers, and caregivers alike.
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