May: Life in an IDP camp

In This Issue

At the mercy of strangers: Life in an IDP camp
When a community joins Plan
Help our youth become leaders!

Children are at the heart of everything we do. Yet we know that no child lives in isolation and, for the child to truly benefit in any meaningful way, the basics of a stable and healthy family and community must come first.

May 15 is celebrated as the International Day of the Family — a day that highlights the importance of the family. This annual observance reflects the importance the international community attaches to families as basic units of society by providing an opportunity to promote awareness of issues relating to families as well as to their inherent strengths, including their great capacity of self-reliance.

The first feature article of this month’s eNews was chosen as a tribute to families around the world displaced from their homes — some forced into other countries as refugees, some displaced within their own countries. The photos as well as the story were gathered by Alf Berg, an international photojournalist employed by Plan for his ability to capture the fundamental nature of people — especially as they live their day-to-day lives, often in circumstances beyond their control.

At the mercy of strangers: Life in an IDP Camp
“I hope we can move out of the camp before she starts remembering all this,” says Florentia as she lifts her daughter Amivi off the ground.

As Florentia picks Amivi up, she balances on the small plastic chair inside her tent in one of Dili´s numerous IDP (Internally Displaced Persons) camps. For the last year and a half this tent, and this camp, have been her family’s home. She lives here with her two-year-old daughter Amivi, her husband Suresh and son Marco. No one knows how long they will stay.

What was meant to be a strict emergency situation has lasted for two years now. IDP camps are everywhere, strewn all over central Dili (in East Timor) and the surrounding area. For many of the children in the camps, living like refugees in their own nation is the only history they can recall. It is a reality without a promise and — until decisions far beyond the children’s own power are made — a reality without a future. However, for as long as these camps are needed, Plan is committed to support them in its areas of expertise.

Read more about Amivi and Plan's work to ensure her well-being.

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On the other side of the Volta
Plan Ghana works with more than 16,000 children and their families, focusing on reducing poverty and promoting health care and education for children.

This past January, Patte Brown — Plan USA’s Marketing Manager — traveled to Ghana to visit a community just beginning its relationship with Plan.

Learn how this community hopes to build a better future.

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Help send youth to YUGA Leadership Camp
Plan’s youth network YUGA (Youth United for Global Action and Awareness) is getting ready for their annual summer Leadership Camp! YUGA Leadership Camp is a peer education program designed to help youth build their leadership skills and gain in-depth knowledge on issues affecting youth around the world.

Your donation of any amount will go toward a camp scholarship to help youth who otherwise may not be able to afford to attend. This year's camp will bring together a committed group of youth for a week of interactive workshops, community building and outside fun in New England!

Help youth build leadership skills!

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