Thriving Through Trials

In the peaceful area adjacent to Dzaleka refugee camp, an unexpected colony of bees found a home in the attic of the There is Hope building a few years ago. With little research into their origins and motivations, it was decided to relocate them. The plan was to build smaller hives to gently introduce the bees to their new home. As Executive Director of There is Hope at the time, I saw an opportunity to highlight the organisation’s adaptability by introducing beekeeping as a new avenue for self-reliance.

On the appointed day of the move, we diligently followed the planned steps. However, to our surprise, the bees refused to inhabit the carefully prepared hives. The operation took an unpredictable turn when our trained staff, tasked with the safe handling of the queen bee, narrowly escaped a serious accident. A misstep in the attic led to a fall through the ceiling, resulting in a few bruises but fortunately no serious injuries.

This bee relocation experience drew poignant parallels with the forced relocation of refugees in Malawi from 17 May 2023. Refugees who had called cities, towns and villages home for decades were abruptly moved to the overcrowded Dzaleka refugee camp. Originally designed for 12,000 people, the camp is now home to more than 52,000 and counting. In this under-resourced environment, basic needs such as education, health care and sanitation are woefully inadequate. The World Food Programme’s assistance of $5 per person per month is drastically insufficient to meet all food and non-food needs.

Beneath the facade of conveniently justified reasons, there are hidden financial and political motives. The government’s narrative portrayed refugees as criminals and an economic threat to Malawi. The Minister of Homeland Security propagated the belief that relocating refugees would eliminate theft and stimulate the national economy. However, the aftermath told a different story – Lilongwe city witnessed unprecedented organised killings, a rise in crime across the country and a 44% devaluation of the national currency.

This juxtaposition is a stark reminder of the need for leaders with pure hearts who recognise the complexities behind seemingly justifiable actions. Compassion for the victims becomes paramount as we strive to help them find a new home away from home. In the face of injustice, let us not forget the power of the individual voice. As Napoleon Bonaparte once said, “Ten people who speak make more noise than ten thousand who remain silent”. Speaking out against injustice is not just an act of empathy; it is a collective responsibility that echoes far beyond the silenced cries of the oppressed.