iACT34 in Chad: Showing Up and Connecting Hearts

Eastern Chad is one of the most challenging places to live in the world, not to mention the complications of traveling there! In refugee camp Am Nabak, Felicia, Julia, and I, along with the newly formed iACT teaching teams and the RUSA team, walked down dusty pathways surrounded by mud brick walls and donkeys curled in a sliver of shade to avoid the hundred plus degree heat. Kids snuck around corners to catch a glimpse of us as we walked the camp. It was my first time visiting Chad and I found myself just as curious as those children.

Our time in camp Am Nabak was not so different from our time at the other camps, Goz Amer and Djabal. Each time we showed up to listen, support, and offer encouragement to the amazing refugee staff. Each time we were met by people and communities that were so glad to see us, communities that have been forever changed by programs like Little Ripples and the Refugees United Soccer Academy.

While in the camps, we did a number of meaningful tasks: walked around the new refugee-led ponds that were buil