By Nicolette Jackson, Information Officer, International Rescue Committee 

In a refugee camp in a remote region of northern Ethiopia, 500 young people are working together to make their community a better place. These individuals, aged 9-25, make up one of the first Roots & Shoots group to be established in a refugee camp.

Shimelba Refugee Camp, home to 12,000 Eritrean refugees, is situated in a hot, dusty landscape close to the Eritrean border. Established in 2001, the camp has a steady flow of arrivals fleeing an oppressive regime in Eritrea. 

The Roots & Shoots Youth Clubs at Shimelba were established two years ago by the International Rescue Committee (IRC), a humanitarian organization that offers education and health services to people in need. The IRC workers wanted to rebuild the self-esteem and courage of young refugees who have lost so much in their lives.

"There are so many problems here," says Baihalu Mekonnen, IRC's Youth Program Officer. "The community care Roots & Shoots provides covers some of the gaps that exist."

Baihalu must also deal with the cultural differences between the two ethnic groups at the camp. The Kunama tribe is a group of farmers and shepherds whose traditional land lies along both sides of the border between Eritrea and Ethiopia. The Kunama young people usually have a strong sense of community while the Tigrigna youth come from a culture that often focuses on the individual. Baihalu has to be creative to mobilize young people from both groups.

Since February 2006, the Roots & Shoots groups have started building 50 houses for camp residents who are elderly, have mental illnesses or are young women. A team of 15 young people can build a house in two days.

Gabriel Marco is a Kunama youth who's leading the house-building teams.

"In our culture, elderly people are much respected, and young people know they should help them," Gabriel says, standing outside the newly constructed home of 89-year-old Tuka Ri.

Shimelba Roots & Shoots members also help care for the camp's animals. Every two weeks they clean the water bins used by the camp's goats, donkeys, dogs, poultry and camels.

"Sometimes, unconsciously, people abuse or neglect their domestic animals," says Baihalu, "so we just try and raise awareness about animal care."

Members share information by performing dramas, singing songs, handing out brochures and having discussions at coffee ceremonies held in people's homes. They spread awareness for environmental issues, as well as other issues, such as HIV/AIDS-prevention and gender equality.
 
Because refugee camps like Shimelba usually crowd many people into a small area, they often put stress on the environment. Shimelba's forests are overused, making it a struggle for both refugees and local people to find enough firewood to meet their daily needs. To help resolve this problem, Roots & Shoots members have planted some seedlings and are encouraging other community members to do the same.

"Many of [the young people] would be just sitting around getting depressed or frustrated," Baihalu says. "Roots & Shoots is one way to keep the youth busy and doing something constructive to contribute something to their community."

IRC's Roots & Shoots Youth Club Programs in Shimelba and Yarenja Refugee Camps have been made possible with support from UNHCR and Stichting Vluchteling.