I was so choked when I learned my dad was arrested for leaving the camp. This is not the first time this has happened but I always feel terrible when I hear that it happened again. My dad who was a successful business man in Burindi tries to make a little bit of money to help out his family. He does this by selling food. However, as a refugee in Malawi, this is not allowed. And so the police arrest him.

This is the reality of being a refugee who is trying to look after his family, in Malawi. It used to be that a refugee was just returned to the poverty of the refugee camp. Now, however, people are starting to be kept in jell for the crime of being a refugee who is caught outside of the Dzaleka camp.

Malawi accepted and is willingly hosting refugees. However, for years now, it struggles to accommodate their needs while keeping the Malawian citizens happy. As a poor nation, Malawi is politically and economically limited in the freedoms it “feels” it can allow refugees. UN High Commission for Refugees(UNHCR) guidelines request the host country allow refugees to pursue employment, but the guidelines are not enforceable because refugee camps are not sites of citizenship. Malawi has placed reservations on its obligations as host, such that refugees are not allowed freedom of movement and access to the Malawian economy through employment. Malawi’s restrictions have prevented many refugees from finding reliable employment, perpetuating rough and unbearable situations including the shortage of food which leads to malnutrition, lack of access to health care, extreme poverty and poor housing.

Malawi denies refugees the right of movement. Refugees are trapped in the camp and not allowed to explore the rest of the country. Many refugees have tried to go to cities to search for jobs but they are arrested, harassed, humiliated and returned to the camp. Many refugees have business backgrounds and are eager to start their own business in order to supplement the rations that the UN agency provides but their creativity is undermined and ignored.

During 2008, police arrested hundreds of refugees for leaving Dzaleka camp, and during the year authorities closed more than 50 shops operated by refugees and forced their owners back to the camp. Since 2008 there have been numerous, unreported cases of violence. These cases are not disclosed by the government in order to prevent greater scrutiny by the UN. However, families still trapped in the camp are all too painfully aware of what is happening to their loved ones, who are the victims. The UNHCR has as its mandate assistance for the resettlement and assimilation of refugees who cannot return to their home. In effect, the UN wants to find a new home for each and every displaced person. However, short sighted local governments may see only an economic advantage in keeping refugees trapped in their camp.

There are a variety of economic benefits to an extremely poor country such as Malawi, to insist on the continuing presence of a refugee camp. First, Malawian nationals are employed in the UN food distribution, secondly, Malawians directly benefit from UN Health and education services proceeded in the camp. Third, foreign volunteers and other UN or NGO aid workers are a source of tourist revenue to Malawi, especially, as most travel to Lake Malawi and other attractive sites in the country. Without a refugee camp, many of these charity-oriented tourists might not be as likely to travel to Malawi from Europe and North America. As well, if all of the refugees were to be assimilated into the economy of Malawi, there would be no more UN and NGO money for the camp hospital and school services and food distribution because they would be no more such need. While having an energetic and productive group of entrepreneurs would profoundly benefit the Malawian economy in the mid and long term, the hardship of losing refugee aid is deemed to be too great.

In the light of the forgoing concerns, the Malawian government is using strategic ways to ensure that it keeps benefiting from refugees while refugees have no share from that benefit. One of the ways the government is doing that is by harassing and humiliating refugees through a long term imprisonment in hopes to destroy their desire to go to cities. Once refugees are overwhelmed by the humiliations and decide to give up going to cities, the Malawian government will get its way. This strategy really works for the government as it has taken it upon itself to attack any refugee who dares to open a shop in town. Sadly, the strategy precludes the Malawian government from acting in accordance with recognized international standards and prevents refugees from receiving appropriate legal status including, wherever possible, the same economic and social rights as nationals of the country in which they have been given asylum.

Over 9000 people are trapped in sad poverty in Dzaleka Camp due to a failure to recognise the great benefit they could provide to Malawian society with their intelligence, creativity, and desire for a better future for themselves and their children. The challenge for the international humanitarian community such as the UN is to facilitate their evolution from refugee to active citizen through the transformation of the Malawian mindset to one which can embrace a better world for all people within Malawi.

Dzaleka Project, a student run oraginization works to raise awareness about the situation in Dzaleka Refugee Camp in Malawi, and to find ways to make a difference.

The Dzaleka Project is a Simon Fraser Public Interest Group (SFPIRG), which is an Action Group and Simon Fraser Student Society (SFSS) Club whose main objective is to provide resources for refugees in need. We are based at Simon Fraser University, Burnaby campus.

Our Mission:

1. To raise awareness about the living conditions and challenges being faced by refugees in the Dzaleka Camp, in Malawi, South East Africa.
2. To create a friendly environment for discussions and dialogues on various refugee issues.

Our Goal:

1. To fundraise in order to finance the relocation of refugees who are unable to return to their countries of origin.
   • We have currently been fundraising towards the relocation of the John family; Ntahizaniye John, his wife Helene and their 6 children from Dzaleka Refugee Camp to British Columbia. Please visit www.dzaleka.org to read their story
2. To connect refugees in the Dzaleka Camp with other organizations supporting refugees.
3. To forge international connections and understanding through publicizing refugees’ personal stories and artwork.

Our Achievements:

• We have successfully raised over $20,000 to help relocate the John family from the Dzaleka Refugee Camp to British Columbia. We are currently waiting for Immigration Canada to make a final decision on the John family’s sponsorship application.  
• We have hosted successful events, presentations and blogs to raise awareness about the condition in Dzaleka Refugee Camp. We have enlightened the community and fostered analysis of various refugee issues.
• We have engaged students through volunteer opportunities and membership. Since 2008, over 100 SFU students have worked with us in various roles.

Our Story:

 In 2007 I  received the World University Service of Canada’s (WUSC), which is a Student Refugee Sponsorship (SRP) that allowed me to study at SFU. My experience in Dzaleka refugee camp and my desire to make a difference inspired the Dzaleka Project to make a difference. The Dzaleka Project' s initial goal has focused on changing the lives of 8 members of my own family, the John family.

On Feburary 17th, 2012, we reached financial requirements for relocating the John family from Dzaleka refugee camp to British Colombia. However, we overcame the financial difficulties through our annual BBQ fundraisers as well as help from families, friends, allies and supporters. We are currently waiting to hear back from Immigration Canada on the progress of the John family sponsorship application. 

If you are interested in making a difference and would like to utilize your skills, we are currently looking for volunteers to take the lead for our second major goal, which is to explore other ways of changing more lives of refugees in Dzaleka Camp. Please send your letter of interest and resume to dzalekaproject@sfpirg.ca. We thank all candidates for applying; only those to be interviewed will be contacted.

Benefits:

• Gain work and leadership experience.
• Become self-motivated and sufficient.  
• Gain communication and public speaking skills.
• Networking opportunities with internal and external organizations.
• Make a positive and direct impact on refugees.
• Learn about the condition of refugees in Dzaleka camp.
• Enhance your teamwork and organizational skills.
• Reference letters available upon request.

Executive Positions:

1. President

The President takes a leadership role in engaging and recruiting members, representing the organization, liaising with supporters as well as identifying and maintaining funding opportunities and partnerships.

Leadership Responsibilities

• Protect the organization integrity. Conduct the organization in accordance with the current Constitution and establish goals and values.
• Appoint and delegate. Take great care in the appointments you make and in delegating tasks. After appointing persons to perform tasks, ensure that the task is done.
• Set an example for other executives and members to follow including promptness, enthusiasm, and knowledge of the Dzaleka Project’s mission and objectives.
• Evaluate. On-going analysis of club meetings and operation leads to continuous improvement in the organization and continuously monitor the organization progress towards goal accomplishment and the activities and responsibilities of all executives and members.
• Work with other executives to set goals for activities and initiatives. Goals must be clear, attainable and transparent. Consulting other members is important in order to benefit from everyone. In the end, your satisfaction will come from the knowledge that this organization is active on all fronts and clearly improved during the year.
• Motivate and establish a climate of enthusiasm, openness, and concern. Follow up, congratulate, listen, give and embrace feedback. Make it apparent that you are concerned and accessible. Seek input and explore alternatives before making important decisions.
• Chair meetings. Ensure that meetings are well planned and organized, flow smoothly, end on time, and that each member has fun and fellowship. You are responsible for agenda setting and making sure that the secretary is prepared to reside in your absence.

Event Planning and Fundraising

• Recruit, develop, and facilitate volunteers who provide support to Dzaleka Project fundraising and/or social events.
• Coordinate and execute required tasks in the development and implementation of various fundraising projects (including event logistics, correspondence, communications, & general administration).
• Make sure events planning ideas are recorded and added to current event templates for future reference.

Communication Responsibilities

• Work with the secretary to ensure that a Club Newsletter is prepared and distributed to all members periodically (monthly).
• Identify funding opportunities and write grant proposals.   
• Host presentations and write newspaper articles to promote Dzaleka Project.
• Write thank you messages to volunteers and supporters and volunteer reference letters as needed.
• Work with the Event Coordinator to write up event’s blurbs and advertisements.
• Send important announcements to the Website Coordinator to be posted on the Dzaleka Project website.
• Work with the media and identify public speaking engagement to promote the Dzaleka Project. The president must be prepared to act as the public face of the Dzaleka Project addressing issues with the media, and promoting the organization to prospective supporters.
• Draft and distribute press releases, and respond to media enquiries.
• Identify and follow up on community connections including church communities and other organizations.
• Work with affiliate student unions for collaboration for the Dzaleka Project referendum through the SFSS election.

Qualifications

• Interest in helping refugees with commitment to social justice.
• Demonstrated organizational and administrative skills including ability to maintain records, schedule priorities and see work through to completion.
• Good verbal and written communication skills and the ability to build and maintain effective working relationships.
• Proficient in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Google docs, Mailchimp and other web based spreadsheet.
• Willingness to serve at least a year and commit to finding and hiring your successor.
• Proven leadership skills including team work, problem resolution, delegation, receiving and giving feedback and volunteer and project management.
• Previous experience in a non-profit environment is desirable.

2. Secretary

Duties and Responsibilities

• Schedule and confirm meetings of executives and club members.
• Record and prepare meeting minutes.
• Compose and send out mass emails to members and supporters.
• Prepare weekly newsletter and manage social media sites i.e. Twitter and Facebook.
• Attend all meetings, fundraisers and social events.
• Collaborate with other executives and volunteers as needed.

Qualifications

• Interest in helping refugees.
• Proficient in Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Google docs.
• Strong work ethic, honesty, reliability and trustworthiness.
• Excellent team player.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Previous volunteer experience with charity or fundraising will be an asset.
• Minimum 8-month commitment.
• 3-6 hours per week.

3. Treasurer

Duties and Responsibilities

• Calculate total donations received at end of day of every fundraiser.
• Write grant proposal for events funding.
• Process reimbursements for club expenses.
• Liaise with Dzaleka Project partners as needed.
• Manage Dzaleka Project funds i.e. fund deposits, securing receipts.
• Data entry in Excel (documenting fundraising progress).
• Recording donor’s information.
• Work with the Event Coordinator and volunteers to ensure smooth events.
• Help with other accounting or administrative tasks.

Qualifications

• Must have completed Bus 251, Financial Accounting I.
• Sensitive to confidentiality.
• Interest in helping refugees.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong work ethic, honesty, reliability and trustworthiness.
• Excellent team player.
• Great communication skills.
• Previous volunteer experience with charity or fundraising will be an asset.
• Minimum 8-month commitment.
• 3-6 hours per week.

4. Communications and Marketing Coordinator

Duties and Responsibilities

• Promote awareness of the Dzaleka Project and refugee issues on campus and the larger community.
• Organize information booths at the campus events to inform students about the Dzaleka project, its initiatives, and various related projects.
• Help plan and execute fundraising/social events.
• Send messages to the Dzaleka Project mailing list and other social networks.

Qualifications

• Able to work well in a team environment.
• Experience in event planning and organization an asset.
• Outgoing personality and creativity required.
• Marketing and outreach experience.
• Strong written communication skills.
• Minimum 8-month commitment.
• 3-6 hours per week.

5. Sponsorship Officer

Duties and Responsibilities

• Procure sponsorships for special events as well as monetary donation for the Dzaleka Project
• Responsible for the interpretation of grant applications.
• Prepare proposals and budgets.
• Develop and maintain relationships with prospective and current grant donors.  

Qualifications

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and tasks simultaneously.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Ability to match proposals with donors.
• Ability to cultivate and sustain a positive relationship with donors.
• Minimum 8-month commitment.
• 3-6 hours per week.

6. Events Coordinator

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate other volunteers to plan and implement fundraising and social events.
• Chair committee meetings.
• Collaborate with other executives to organize events.
• Collaborate with different organizations, groups, and individuals for support.

Qualifications

• Interest in humanitarian issues.
• Proactive and organized.
• Good communication skills
• Leadership skills.
• Approachable.
• Interpersonal skills.
• Open-minded.
• Leadership skills.
• Minimum 8-month commitment.
• 3-6 hours per week.

7. Human Resources and Recruitment Coordinator

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the executive and volunteers to continuously recruit new members for various positions.
• Volunteer applications and collaborate with the President to interview candidates.
• Work with the Sponsorship Officer to search for sponsorship opportunities.

Qualifications

• Interested in humanitarian issues.
• Great interpersonal skills.
• Proactive
• Organized.
• Very reliable.
• Minimum 8-month commitment.
• 3-6 hours per week.

8. Website Coordinator

Responsibilities

• Ensure all of the pages are updated regularly.
• Post meetings of all subcommittees.
• Update pages upon request.
• Research any applications to make the web site more dynamic and/or user-friendly such as adding photos and so on.

Qualifications

• Attention to details.
• Organized.
• Proactive.
• No coding experience necessary.
• Minimum 8-month commitment.
• 3-6 hours per week.