Educational Opportunities and Sustainable Livelihoods Coping Strategies for Youth Refugees in Zimbabwe. A Case Study of Tongogara Refugee Camp

Abstract

The study sought to establish educational and sustainable livelihood opportunities available to youth refugees in Tongogara Refugee Camp. It was guided by the following research questions; what are the range of livelihood opportunities available to youth Refugees living at Tongogara Refugee Camp? What are the challenges faced by youth refugees in accessing and completing their education? What are the major sources of livelihoods coping mechanisms for youth refugees? How effective are the policies and legislations that provides for access to educational and employment opportunities for youth refugees? The study was informed by the human needs theory by Maslow and Burton. This theory was relevant in identifying, analysing and addressing the needs of youth refugees. The researcher used different data collecting instruments which included in-depth interviews and key informant interviews, observation, focus group discussion and questionnaires. Research participants included the Commissioner for Refugees, Camp Administrator, UNHCR Protection and Programme Officers, Education Officers, Tongogara Primary School and Saint Michaels Tongogara Secondary School Deputy Headmasters, Youth Refugees and Leaders of NGOs working with refugees in Zimbabwe. The data was presented in narrative form and descriptive statistics that included graphs and tables using spreadsheets and Microsoft Word. The researcher concluded that educational opportunities for youths are available at Tongogara Refugee Camp. However, the major challenge is shortage of classrooms and training materials, which undermine the quality of education at Tongogara Primary School and Saint Michael Secondary school. It was also revealed that the majority of refugee children and youth living in urban area such as Harare are denied access to scholarships, which undermine their rights to education. In addition, most youth refugees living at Tongogara Camp have no sustainable livelihoods. This situation has been worsened by the current economic down turn experienced in Zimbabwe, unfavourable refugee policy and UNCHR financial challenges. The study makes recommendations to improve educational and livelihood needs of youth refugees in Zimbabwe.