"We Are the Dream Diggers": Poetry Becomes a Lifeline in Dzaleka

 

Charles Lipanda, a Congolese refugee, leads a poetry workshop with youth at Dzaleka Refugee Camp in Malawi, where he mentors young creatives through African Youth Artistic Poetry (AYAP). Photo by Francisco Alcala Torreslanda

In the heart of Dzaleka, young refugees are turning to spoken word poetry as a means of reclaiming hope and inspiring resilience. Through the African Youth Artistic Poetry (AYAP) collective, these individuals are transforming personal trauma into powerful artistic expression.

Charles Lipanda, a Congolese refugee who arrived at Dzaleka at the age of 14, found solace in poetry amidst the challenges of displacement. His first poem, "At the Age of Nine," marked the beginning of a journey that would lead him to establish AYAP, a collective dedicated to nurturing young creatives within the camp.

Dzaleka, originally built to accommodate 12,000 individuals, now shelters over 57,000 refugees and asylum seekers from countries including Burundi, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Despite limited resources, initiatives like AYAP provide a platform for youth to express themselves and find healing through art.

Espoir Kahitani, another member of AYAP, emphasizes the transformative power of poetry: "Poetry came into my life like a breath when I was suffocating." Through workshops and performances, AYAP fosters a sense of community and empowerment among participants.

This article is adapted from the original piece published by OkayAfrica on July 2, 2025. For the full article, visit: OkayAfrica