Brave Heart Foundation Expands Its Focus to More Refugee Crises in Zambia

For the first time in several years, Brave Heart Foundation has expanded its work to a new refugee settlement in Zambia. Through a partnership with Mennonite Central Committee, 5,706 people in Mayukwayukwa Refugee Settlement received food, hygiene supplies, and other essential support.

For many years, Brave Heart Foundation has built up extensive work among refugees in Meheba Refugee Settlement in northwestern Zambia. Although the organization has previously operated in other locations as well, its efforts in recent years have been concentrated around Meheba.

At the same time, the desire to help people in other refugee settlements has been there for a long time. This summer, that desire was put into action when Brave Heart carried out its first distribution in Mayukwayukwa Refugee Settlement in western Zambia.

5706 people received help

The distribution was carried out in partnership with Mennonite Central Committee (MCC). Over several days of assessment and distribution, a total of 5,706 people received support.

The items distributed included food, hygiene supplies, dignity kits for girls, blankets, and other essential items. The aim was not only to meet immediate needs, but also to help restore dignity and bring hope to people living in difficult circumstances.

For Brave Heart, the distribution also represents something more: a first step into a refugee settlement where the organization hopes to do more work in the years to come.

One of Africa's oldest refugee camps

Mayukwayukwa is located in western Zambia and has a long history as a home for people who have been forced to flee. For Brave Heart, the visit was therefore also an opportunity to gain a better understanding of the settlement, the people who live there, and the needs they face.

Throughout the days in Mayukwayukwa, assessments were carried out alongside the distribution. The encounters with the people there left a deep impression.

Several people who have lived in the settlement for more than 20 years said they had never before experienced a distribution like this. There was a deep sense of gratitude, but the visit also highlighted just how extensive the needs still are.

From Meheba to Maykwayukwa

Brave Heart’s work in Zambia has largely been built around Meheba, where the organization has established several initiatives over time to support people who have been forced to flee. The experience gained there has demonstrated the importance of maintaining a long-term presence and working closely with the people who themselves live within refugee communities.

Now, the organization hopes that the distribution in Mayukwayukwa can be the beginning of something more.

This does not mean that Brave Heart is shifting its focus away from Meheba. On the contrary, the work there continues as before. At the same time, the organization wants to use the experience gained over many years to reach people beyond the settlement that has long been at the heart of its work.