Hope and Healing for the Youngest Residents at Malindza Refugee Reception Center

At the heart of the Malindza Refugee Reception Center in Eswatini, the laughter of children now rings out from a newly revamped play area, an oasis of joy and safety in a space that shelters over 900 displaced individuals.  Among them are more than 100 children aged between 3 and 7 years, many of whom have already experienced trauma far beyond their years.

The center has welcomed people fleeing conflict from countries including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Rwanda, Tanzania and Somalia.  During the peak of the unrest in Mozambique in January 2025, the camp also hosted many refugee families from that country, most of whom have since returned home. The multi-lingual and multi-cultural nature of the community presents ongoing communication challenges for both residents and service providers.

Yet, with support from UNICEF, meaningful strides are being made to support the wellbeing of children and families at the camp.

“UNICEF has played a critical role in strengthening services at Malindza”, said Ms. Bongi Mamba, the Camp Manager.  “The deployment of two social workers, improvements to the children’s play area and the installation of floodlights for enhanced safety at night have all made significant difference.”

For many children at the center, the pre-school offers more than early learning, it provides a sense of normalcy and security.  Sixty-six children (46 girls and 20 boys) are currently enrolled. Their teacher, Ms. Simphiwe Simelane, witnesses the transformative power of play every day.

“UNICEF has truly brought smiles to the children’s faces, she shared. They eagerly wait for me at the gate each morning.  Some run out to the play area before even bathing, just excited to begin their day.”

However, the pre-school is also a space for healing.  Many of the children arrive at the camp withdrawn or visibly distressed.  Six-year-old Blessing Nyawdi softly shared, “I miss the place we used to live with Mum and Dad”.  Still, friendships and playful environment help children like Blessing adapt to their new reality.

Behind the scenes, the social workers, Temalangeni Dlamini and Mbali Mabuza are a vital lifeline for families.  They provide psychosocial support, assist with issues such as school fees and food security and respond to child protection concerns.

“We work with people who are deeply distressed,” said Ms. Dlamini. “Many of the issues we encounter include neglect, trauma and a need for basic services.  We are grateful to UNICEF for enabling us to be here and to offer this support”.

One pressing concern is the lack of privacy in the camp’s one-room shelters. Children may be exposed to adult behaviours and vulnerable to mimicry and even abuse.

“This living arrangement puts children at risk,” Ms. Dlamini warned. There is a danger they may misinterpret harmful actions as normal, particularly if they are sexually abused. Education is critical, in response, the social workers have held sensitization sessions with parents on maintaining privacy and boundaries.  There is also a call for age-appropriate learning materials to help children understand the concepts of good and bad touches and to raise awareness about sexual abuse.

Another challenge has been the physical distance between living quarters and bathroom facilities after sunset, which increased the risks to children who needed to use the bathroom at night. Moreover, the darkness made it increasingly difficult for security guards to effectively patrol the area. In response, UNICEF has installed floodlights to light-up the camp at night.

Thanks to ongoing support from UNICEF, the Malindza Refugee Reception Center is gradually becoming a safer, more nurturing space for children.  While the journey ahead is long, the seeds of hope have already been planted, one play session, one supportive conversation and one smile at a time.