Special Olympics Reaching New Frontiers in Mtendeli Refugee Camp, Tanzania

Athletes of Mtendeli Refugee Camp competing in Athletics, 100m race. The coaches training and competition took place 9–12 April, 2018.

In 2017, a similar training was held in neighboring Nyarugusu Refugee Camp in north-western Tanzania, near the Burundian border. Lions Club International provided vital financial support to these Special Olympics recruitment and training opportunities in Western Tanzania Refugee Camps.

A local competition was conducted by the newly trained coaches at Amani Fundamental School. 22 athletes competed in Athletics from nearby schools. A large number of family and community members attended and cheered on as the athletes competed.

“There has never been such an experience in this camp”, said one spectator.

According to Mr. Simon Boniface, Assistant Head of the Mtendeli Refugee Camp:

“Mtendeli Camp, with a current population of about 50,000 was opened on 14 January 2016, as an emergency response to receive Burundian Refugees relocated from Nyarugusu camp.”

Zone A of Mtendeli Camp, where the Coaches Training was conducted at Amani Fundamental School.

Joe Mutua, Program Development Manager for Special Olympics Africa Region, in session with the Coaches Training.

Athletes and coaches at the ready, where guest of honor Mr. Simon Boniface of Mtendeli Camp declares competition open.

The opening of competition included a Burundian traditional dance performance. Many spectators were drawn from the camp, and became part of the friendship circle.

The camp community organization is structured around three administrative models, which are Zones, Villages and Blocs. Each organizational level has its representatives. All Zone Leaders are headed by the Camp Chairman and his Deputy. The 48 coaches were mostly teachers an Zone leaders.

The training was officially opened by Mr. Simon Boniface, Assistant Head of the Mtendeli Refugee Camp, who promised to support Special Olympics activities in the Camp. He asked parents not to hide their children with intellectual disabilities, but to allow them the same opportunities and joy that other children have the right to experience.

The coaches were assigned with the following tasks: to recruit five new athletes each; and to go back into their schools, Zones and villages to train athletes and Unified Partners, form sports teams and do year-round training and competition in the spirit of the Special Olympics mission world-wide.

Mother and coach cheering loudly for the opening ceremony.