Uganda: Inside Bidi Bidi - 3 Stories from inside the world's largest refugee camp

In just two years, Bidi Bidi has gone from being a small and dusty village in rural Uganda to becoming the largest refugee camp in the world.

Located close to the border with South Sudan, Bidi Bidi is now home to over 285,000 people who have fled the war there.

Following a 50-year conflict, South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011. After decades of under-investment and marginalisation, this was billed as an opportunity to finally bring peace and opportunity to the people of South Sudan. However, in December 2013 conflict erupted between President Kir and his former deputy Riek Machar and the country soon descended into civil war.

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Almost 5 million people have been displaced by the fighting – half of whom have fled to neighbouring countries. Over one million South Sudanese refugees are now living in Uganda.

Among them is Jackie Sitima  a 24-year-old who fled South Sudan after her husband was kidnapped by an armed group. She now lives in Bidi Bidi with her father and two daughters, aged six and four.Amid the chaos of being uprooted and displaced, Bidi Bidi has become a functioning town with its own economy.

"When I do go back to South Sudan I will bring with me the skills I have learned to build a better life." 

Jackie attended tailoring workshops and became part of a group of four women who wanted to start a business.Given a sewing machine and a loan, they opened a shop selling handmade clothes. It is a small shop but it has offered a lifeline to Jackie. As well as giving her a way to make money, it brings a bit of normality to her life.   

Elsewhere in Bidi Bidi, Martin Waru (42) is toiling on a small, rocky piece of land. He was a farmer in South Sudan and is trying to use the land in Bidi Bidi to produce food for his family.

"As well as receiving tools and seeds, I went to a Field School where I learned agricultural technology," he said. "I learned how to maximise the land that I have. I learned about the different crops, about irrigation and about raising livestock."

Martin also set up a savings group and now he and his friends have invested in goats and chickens."With all the profits from my garden and from our group, I’ve been able to buy three mattresses, four goats that have reproduced to make nine, set up a carpentry workshop and bought a motorbike," he says.

Among the people to help Martin was Soro Stewart (32). Soro is also a refugee from South Sudan. Back in his native land, Soro helped to train farmers how to produce more food. Today, he is using those skills in Bidi Bidi. "My role is to make sure farmer groups are organised," he says. "We train them on leadership skills and group dynamics.In what was once a small village, a new town has emerged; one born out of tragedy but kept together by people’s hopes for a better future. 
 

The views expressed here are those of the author and do not represent or reflect the views of RTÉ.