- 01
The challenge
Many children at the Sudanese Displaced Children’s Learning Centre arrived in Egypt carrying experiences they had no words for. Some were quiet, withdrawn and emotionally guarded.
- 02
What Impact did
With the support of UNICEF, Impact designed Mazaji — a four-day camp to help children recognize, name and differentiate their feelings, and to practise healthy ways of expressing and managing them. Conversations, creative activities, journaling, storytelling, sport and games created a safe space to learn, connect and simply be themselves.
- 03
Who took part
47 students from the Sudanese Displaced Children’s Learning Centre, supported by Impact facilitators and volunteers.
- 04
What changed
Day by day, the walls came down. Students began talking about their feelings, sharing their experiences and finding words for emotions they had struggled to understand. Mazaji did not change everything in four days — but it opened a door to expression, connection and conversations that continue after the camp.
- 05
What comes next
Impact is building on Mazaji through its socio-emotional learning work with educators and learning centres, so that emotional support becomes part of everyday school life.
In their own words
“Now I know how to deal with my feelings when I am sad.”
“I learned how to calm myself.”
“I know how to react when I am angry.”
Participant statements, shared without names to protect the children.
Emotional Awareness
Mazaji emotional-awareness camp
UN agency
UNICEF
Mazaji emotional-awareness camp; service-mapping and pathway tool in Alexandria
Education partner
Sudanese Displaced Children’s Learning Centre (SDCLC)
Mazaji camp; youth internships
