David (10) Is Finding His Place - As a TeamUp Leader
Photo: Deepti Rao | War Child
A perilous journey
“There was a war in Rwanda that lasted for several days,” says David’s mother. “After the war, the killings continued in silence.
“Unknown people would come to the house at night asking for my husband. We knew they would take him and he would never come back. All this made us constantly stressed - not feeling free, like we couldn’t escape. Because of fear that my husband might get kidnapped, we decided to run.”
The journey was very hard: “We walked day and night, nowhere was safe.” Eventually, the family arrived at the border to Tanzania. They had no documents but they managed to enter, although her husband was attacked and the few possessions they had were stolen.
“Arriving in Tanzania, we did not find any refuge because we were being hunted.”
Sleeping at the side of the road, depending on locals for their daily survival, weeks later they made it to a refugee settlement in southwestern Uganda. “We were well received by everyone we met from the border onwards. They guided us all the way to the settlement.”
Distant memories
David was two years old during this journey. He remembers very little but, the few memories he does have, have stayed with him.
“Walking at night, he was too young to understand that we should be quiet. We had to cover his mouth,” explains his mother.
“Sometimes we would meet soldiers who wanted to beat us and take our father,” David speaks for the first time. “During the night we would see soldiers and sleep on the ground to hide. So, that they wouldn't see us and hurt us.”
“All this had a lasting effect on him,” his mother continues. “When we arrived here, he always seemed unhappy; he didn’t want to play with other children. He would just stand there like a doll, as if he was sick, but with no signs of illness.”
Opening up
However, since David started TeamUp at school - at the end of 2023 - she has seen changes. “He comes and tells me about the games and songs he’s learned; he’s much more talkative. He’s learned to love his friends and understands the importance of being with others.”
As for David, how has he experienced it? “I feel good about TeamUp,” he says with an air of confidence older than his years. “The games I love most are singing, playing football and jump ropes. They [the other children] asked me to lead them.”
And lead he does…
A natural leader
Towards the end of the school day, the TeamUp facilitators gather the children outside the classroom. Everyone lines up and David bellows the words: “Follow the leader, I am the leader!” Instantly the class starts moving. Down the hill, through the school gates, and into the field - a sprawling, lush sanctuary encircled by banana trees.
Moments later the first activity begins. Each session is related to a theme such as dealing with anger or regaining trust. “There are those who learn quickly how to play and those who don’t,” David says matter-of-factly. “That’s why, after the sessions, we continue to play all together so we can teach those who don’t know how.”
Leaving the bad thoughts behind
Beyond the schoolyard, what other lessons has David learned? “Before TeamUp, I used to insult and fight other children. I was disobedient to my parents and hated school.
“All the bad things I used to do, I’ve never done again since joining TeamUp. I learned to behave well and I no longer have all the bad thoughts I had before.
"What I want to say to the leaders of the world is that they should comfort the children who have faced challenges, and help them forget about it. If there are parents who have abandoned their children, they [the people in power] should take care of those children.”
And, with that, he jumps off his chair and gathers his friends to demonstrate a TeamUp dance…
David for President?
TeamUp is currently being scaled across three schools in Nakivale Refugee Settlement through our partners the Norwegian Refugee Council and Save the Children International. This wouldn't be possible without vital funding from the European Commission’s Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) department.
