RESPECT Ghana Part Of Student's Research Project
Willemijn Eindhoven, a student in disaster studies at Wageningen University in The Netherlands, learned about the work of RESPECT Ghana while researching internships in the country and was immediately attracted to the vision of the organisation.
After contacting RESPECT Ghana and making arrangements for her internship project, Willemijn began her research work at the Buduburam Refugee Camp.
Buduburam, located approximately 35 km west of Accra, Ghana, was opened by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in 1990 as a home for more than 35,000 refugees from Liberia who had left during the Liberian Civil War (1989-1996) and the Second Liberian Civil War (1999-2003).
While at Buduburam, Willemijn worked with members of RESPECT Ghana to develop a communication planning guide tailored to the organisation. She undertook interviews, made observations, and reviewed available literature in the development of an easy-to-use guide to help members in communicating with people outside of the camp, in order to overcome barriers.
Willemijn found the experience of living at Buduburam inspiring as she met with people who had incredible stories to tell. She was struck by the obstacles people in the camp faced while trying to pursue education and other activities to improve their situation.
"The word refugee and its connotations do not do right for the people in real life who are forced to live in a situation not of their choosing," she said.
A combination of experiences made her internship and time with RESPECT Ghana at Buduburam memorable. Willemijn enjoyed the hospitality of everyone in the settlement, including the members of the Smart Kids Club and the RESPECT Intellectual Club who were eager to learn and committed to their community. She also enjoyed the dancing at night.