A lot of numbers are thrown around when we talk about the lives of refugees. Most of them are so big they are hard to even comprehend. For example, since April 15, 2023, more than 11 million people have been displaced as a result of the conflict in Sudan, leading more than 910,000 to cross over the border into Chad as refugees. As famine looms, 25.6 million people in Sudan are facing acute hunger. More than 3.4 million face that same danger in Chad among the 14 refugee camps along the eastern border.
These numbers are immense, but we must remember: these numbers are also people. They are children, mothers, grandparents. They are preschool teachers.
In September, iACT’s Global Programs Manager Felicia Lee and Board Member Merri Weir traveled to Chad to conduct teacher training for our Little Ripples program with 12 new “Ponds” among three refugee camps. While on their trip, they took time to reflect on some of the more tangible numbers that come out of their time with our team members in Chad.
40 visits to eastern Chad
This was iACT’s 40th trip to Chad. Our founder Gabriel Stauring began visiting in 2005, with “iACT1,” and we continue to return. That first visit was about learning, advocacy, and spreading awareness about the 2003 genocide in Darfur, and eventually led to the creation of the organization that iACT is today. Forming and nurturing deep relationships is a key value of iACT, and we can only do that by continuing to show up for our teammates, not only from afar but also in person. Over these 40 visits, Little Ripples has grown from an idea to six school classrooms and 34 Ponds across eight refugee camps in eastern Chad, bringing play-based education to more than 1,800 children a year.
“iACT40 reminds us why iACT’s work is so important and even after 40 trips we still have something to learn. Some things seem to remain the same, but the core of iACT’s work — connecting and working alongside refugees — remains the same.” – Merri Weir, iACT Board Member
6 oversized duffle bags, 2 carry-on suitcases, 2 backpacks
iACT never “travels light” on a trip to Chad. Our visits take place two-to-three times a year, so whenever we go, we bring as many items as we can fit into six large duffle bags. For this September trip, these duffles included 84 Adidas soccer balls, 4 ball bags, 10 rubber balls, 4 ball pumps, 8 new iACT shirts for the refugee leadership team and our new AMPLIFi storytelling team members, 100 pens, 1 first aid kit, dozens of Little Ripples scarves, and hundreds of printed documents, among other items.
6 Inches of rain in 6 days
The extended rainy season impacted this trip. From September 3 to September 6 alone there were approximately six inches of rain in eastern Chad. That’s two inches a day! This wasn't the first time we have experienced rain and muddy roads, but this trip we witnessed firsthand the full impact of the rainy season on the refugees in the camps and on our partner Jesuit Refugee Service. Climate has been a growing concern for refugee communities in Chad, as it impacts temperatures, crops, and the severity of flooding. This year, structures in most of the camps were damaged in some way, including many of the Little Ripples Pond structures.
70+ community members trained, meals served to 1,800 children, 80 teachers, 80 cooks
On this trip, more than 70 women participated in Little Ripples Teacher Training III. The impact of ongoing teacher training ripples out to hundreds of children. Each teacher trained represents one Little Ripples Pond, which serves 45 children between the ages of three and 5, who are not only experiencing play-based learning but who also have access to a daily nutritious meal through the Little Ripples meal program. Yearly, Little Ripples serves approximately 470,400 meals.
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