Ever wondered what life is like in a refugee camp?

SU Australia chaplain Emma-Lee found out.   

Recently, I had the opportunity to partner with SU Uganda and SU South Sudan Refugee Ministry (SUSSRM-U) to serve within Rhino Camp, one of the largest refugee camps in the world. Most of the refugees are South Sudanese or Congolese, fleeing their home countries due to civil wars and government corruption. 

A startling 85% of those in Rhino Camp are women or girls, and they receive only $5 AUD per month, barely enough to buy a coffee here. Water is accessed by the community water point, and pumped from underground through solar panels. However, if there’s not enough UV, there are water shortages.

Resilience in Rhino Camp 

Despite incredible hardship, the people in Rhino camp are resilient. Each morning I woke to 19-year-old Grace belting out worship songs before breakfast. I also met a woman of God, Elizabeth, who sells chicks, using the money to send her children to school and buy food.

During my time there, I had the honour of serving in multiple ways including teaching and training, and discipling girls sponsored to attend high school. What these girls have endured and persevered through is a testament to God. 

Covered in Prayer 

While there were times I became emotionally overwhelmed in my time in the camp, the SUSSRM-U team constantly prioritised my safety and protection, covering me in prayer.

Please join me now in praying for our Ugandan brothers and sisters doing this vital work, and for the families, young people and children living there, that they have the food and resources they need, and that they can – through it all – hold onto hope.