Forgetting Differences In Kakuma

Joseph Longok, Kenya

GIZ Sport for Development in Africa works in Turkana West with both refugees and host communities. The project focuses on three main interventions: training local community coaches and sports teachers, construction and rehabilitation of grassroots sports grounds, and the distribution of equipment for community sports activities. In the refugee community, GIZ has trained over 50 sports teachers and community coaches who integrate sport for development methodology into their regular sports sessions, and sports equipment is distributed to youth centres and schools within the refugee camp.

Can you tell us your personal story?

I was born here in Turkana and I am from the host community. I am one of the beneficiaries of the refugee interventions in Kakuma having studied in refugee primary and secondary schools since I lived with my grandmother and couldn’t afford to study in the “other” Kenyan schools. I am currently a primary school teacher with the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) at a refugee school (Fashoda Primary School) and I am taking a degree course offered by the scholarship programs in the camp. I am a football coach, trained by GIZ Sport for Development in Africa as an instructor and I coach various children and youth groups as well.

I am also running sports activities in the camp, currently I am the Secretary General of the Kakuma Premier League Secretariat, and one of the founders and officials of the Kakuma United Football team which currently plays in the 2nd Division Western League in Kenya. I have played a lot of football at the district level through community clubs.

Who is in these photos? What is their story?

These are refugees who have fled their countries of origin due to various issues including wars, violence between communities, famine and other conflicts. The photos were taken at Kakuma Refugee Camp 1, near Clinic 4, close to the South Sudanese and Ethiopian communities.

What did you try to show with the photos? Was there any wider meaning with the photos?

I wanted to portray the ability of different people to forget their national, ethnic and religious differences and play together and speak one language. Here, a group of youth from different nationalities are playing football together. In addition, it depicts the ability to share resources despite the differences, as well as other people with different interests carrying on with their daily lives (people passing the field carrying water, or herding livestock).

Why is football important to you and your community?

Football is an important element in the community since it is one way of bringing people together towards one course, we can communicate and educate the youth on various things including leadership and livelihoods. It is also a way of keeping fit and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. It also keeps youth engaged avoiding idleness that stems from high rates of unemployment and hence helps to prevent societal vices like crime and drug abuse. 

Do you play football now with the refugees?

I am currently playing in one of the veterans’ teams, which have players from refugees and host community members. I am also coaching different teams with both refugees and Kenyan players (especially those participating in sport for development programmes both in school and the community).  I find them to be good and open people and they are ready to share. 

What ambitions do you have for the future?

I would like to move more into professional football management by increasing my capacity in coaching (high level coaching) and Sports Management skills and also add knowledge in Sports for Development. I would like to manage football at higher levels than I do currently.