Photo Essay: Refugee Camp Alacha and Home-Based Preschools in Chad

Driving Through Refugee Camp Alacha

In April, an iACT team returned to Refugee Camp Alacha for a second visit to continue supporting a community-led process to establish and resource preschools and a sports program for children and youth. Here we are driving down the main market road in the camp on our way to visit home-based preschools. 

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Life in a refugee camp can be dangerous

Two girls walk through Alacha, carrying firewood they collected several miles away, outside the camp. 

Daily survival tasks — fetching water, collecting firewood, and searching for work — often fall on the shoulders of women and girls. Each of these tasks requires leaving the relative safety of the camp, exposing them to significant danger. Again and again, we heard stories of women and girls being harassed, assaulted, or worse while gathering firewood beyond the camp's boundaries.

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Especially for young children

Caregivers, forced to search for food, water, and income, often leave their children alone during the day, filled with worry about their safety. Here, two girls came out of their home space, curious about our presence!

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We always start with listening, and always in a circle

Our work begins by sitting in a circle and listening to the experiences, needs, and ideas of people in the community. We met with women leaders from across Refugee Camp Alacha and learned about their concerns for their children’s safety and education.

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We met a woman running a preschool under the shade of a tree

We had heard about a woman running a preschool program under the shade of a tree, and we were grateful to meet her and see the space in person. Her name is Sadia, and she brings children together there to keep them safe and engaged in learning while their caregivers spend the day searching for work and basic necessities.

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We witnessed the universal joy of jump rope

We visited a home-based preschool, voluntarily started by a woman in the community. She had created a warm and welcoming space where children could learn, play safely, and simply be children. Watching them jump rope — a simple, joyful activity that feels so universal — was heartwarming and a reminder that in their circumstances, childhood play is something that must be protected and nurtured. 

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We then visited even more community-led preschools

We visited a second home-based preschool, voluntarily started by a man in the community. He had built two separate structures — both made of wood and thatch — to accommodate different age groups, along with a safe outdoor area for play. It was truly inspiring to meet people throughout the community who are determined not to let a generation of children go without learning.

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These slippers reminded us of shared childhood experience

The shoes and sandals of the preschool children are piled outside their classroom – a simple structure made of wood and thatching. There’s something about a colorful, messy pile of shoes that highlights our shared humanity, reminding us of the universal experience of childhood.

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And, of course, there was soccer!

In the coming months, iACT will be supporting the launch of a community-led Refugees United Soccer Academy in Refugee Camp Alacha, with a focus on creating a safe and inclusive space for girls to play soccer and handball. During our visit, our Program Coordinator, Souleymane, led a joyful play session with a group of curious and enthusiastic girls!

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Constantly amazed by children's determination and ingenuity

Seeing these makeshift soccer balls never ceases to amaze us. They’re a powerful reminder that children everywhere possess boundless imagination, potential, and an unwavering determination to play.

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None of this happens without teamwork

This work requires a team: many people from all walks of life, coming together in our shared humanity, bringing different experiences and perspectives. What a joy it is to come together.