Jesuit Refugee Service in Dzaleka

Work in Dzaleka

Jesuit Refugee Service is a major education and social-service organisation at Dzaleka. Its Malawi programme reports educating more than 5,000 children through pre-primary, primary, and secondary schools. It also provides psychosocial and pastoral support and maintains livelihoods programmes for adults.

School education

JRS has supported Umodzi Katubza Primary School, which serves refugee and Malawian learners and follows the Malawian curriculum. Historical JRS material records that teachers included both nationals and refugees, with French and Kiswahili offered alongside the main curriculum.

Its secondary education work has included Dzaleka Community Day Secondary School and alternative learning routes for students unable to attend conventional classes.

Higher and professional education

JRS has worked with Jesuit Worldwide Learning on post-secondary and professional programmes. Dzaleka was an early location for distance higher education designed for refugees whose movement, finances, or qualifications limited access to universities outside the camp.

Livelihoods and wellbeing

JRS programmes have extended beyond classrooms to vocational and digital skills, employment preparation, psychosocial support, and pastoral care. Programme names and enrolment change over time; the official JRS Malawi page should be used for current coverage.