African refugee children find education, hope in Cairo

Children pray at the playground before class at African Hope Learning Center inCairo, Egypt on June 20, 2016. (Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe)

TEACHER, FRIEND, PARENT

AHLC currently employs 49 staff members, the majority of whom are Africans. They play multiple roles in the school: teachers, playmates, and sometimes parents.

Dreanos came from Uganda and started volunteering in AHLC nine years ago when he was a college student. He taught the children basic computer skills, English and mathematics. After graduation, he chose to work here as a full-timer.

"It was an easy decision for me to stay here because I want to make a difference," Dreanos said. "Most of the kids here have lost one or both of their parents back home, so I sometimes feel that they look upon me as their father."

The children's laughter is Dreanos' biggest reward. "Spending time with the kids has always been lots of fun to me. No matter how bad a morning starts, those children always make my day when the school begins."

Dreanos' story is typical of the staff: they came to Cairo as students or refugees, started volunteering in AHLC, and simply could not leave the children behind.

John James came from South Sudan to Egypt 17 years ago and found his first job at AHLC.

"Deep in my heart there is a calling. I have the ability to teach those children, so I have to, and I love it," said James, the director of the summer school.

"What I have seen in my life, I do not want the children to see it again. That's the reason why I work here for so long," said Hala David, supervisor of the center's primary school.