Civil war erupted in Liberia in 1989, and violent conflict persisted for over 14 years. One result was a major refugee crisis: an estimated 231,000 people fled, and sought refuge in neighbouring Ghana, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast and Guinea. Despite efforts by the UNHCR, there remain approximately 42,000 refugees in Ghana living in poor conditions in the Buduburam camp. This number includes 18,000 children, over 4,000 of whom were born in the camp, and have lived their entire lives as refugees.

 

War Child works in partnership with the Liberian Dance Troupe (LDT), a grassroots initiative formed in the Buduburam refugee camp, to address some of the challenges children and youth living in the camp are facing. The LDT works in collaboration with the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP) to improve the general well-being of the Liberian children and youth living in the camp. In order to achieve this goal, the project increases knowledge and appreciation of traditional Liberian culture for youth and the camp community as a whole. By strengthening LDT’s capacity, we have been able to increase awareness in HIV/AIDS, health, drug abuse, and teen pregnancy for young people and their communities, as well as increase access to quality education.

 

 

In order to keep Liberian culture alive in the camp, LDT holds performances and training sessions at schools for the Buduburam community. The project provides young people with counseling, and provides youth with school and IT training fees. The project raises awareness on important issues such as HIV/AIDS and health through theater performances, posters and seminars. The larger community also attends monthly performances in the camp, watching with pride as the children demonstrate their love of Liberian culture.