The Story of Sudanese refugee mother living in Uganda
For most parents, the greatest hope in life is to see their children grow, succeed, and have opportunities that they themselves never had. For Alawiya Babikir, a 56-year-old Sudanese refugee mother and single parent of five, education was the path she believed would give her children a better future. The journey of a Sudanese refugee mother is one of immense courage and hope.
“My name is Alawiya Babikir. I am 56 years old and the mother of five children. Everything I worked for in my life was for my children. I believed that education was the greatest gift I could give them because no one can ever take knowledge away.”
Like many Sudanese mothers, Alawiya devoted her life to raising her children, encouraging them to study hard and remain focused on their education despite the many economic challenges her family faced. She believed that education was the one thing no one could ever take away from them. The role of a Sudanese refugee mother requires endurance amid hardships.
Over the years, her sacrifices began to bear fruit.
Her eldest son graduated with a degree in Engineering.
Her eldest daughter earned a degree in accounting.
Another daughter was studying at the prestigious University of Khartoum.
Her two youngest children were still attending school.
Seeing her children succeed gave her hope that the difficult years of sacrifice had been worth it. Every school fee, every book purchased, every meal she went without so they could continue their education felt like an investment in a brighter future.
“When my children graduated, I felt proud beyond words. I believed all the sleepless nights, the sacrifices, and every struggle had finally been worth it. I thought they were ready to begin the lives they had worked so hard to achieve.”
Then the war came.
The conflict that erupted across Sudan did not only destroy homes and force millions of people to flee. It also destroyed dreams that families had spent decades building.
Like countless other Sudanese families, Alawiya was forced to flee her home and seek safety in Uganda. The family escaped with very little, leaving behind their belongings, their community, and the life they had spent years building.
Today they live as refugees, trying to rebuild their lives from almost nothing.
But for Alawiya, the deepest pain is not the loss of material possessions.
It is watching her children’s future stand still. For any Sudanese refugee mother, the trauma of seeing hopes fade can be overwhelming.
“The war did not only destroy our home. It destroyed my children’s future. They worked so hard for their education, but today they sit at home without jobs, without opportunities, and without knowing what tomorrow will bring.”
Her son, who studied Engineering, cannot practice his profession.
Her daughter graduated in Accounting cannot find work in her field.
The daughter whose university education was interrupted by war does not know when or if she will be able to complete her studies.
Her younger children have also seen their education disrupted, facing uncertainty about whether they will continue learning.
As a mother, she worries every day that the years of hard work, determination, and sacrifice may never lead to the future they once imagined.
“As a mother, there is no greater pain than watching your children lose opportunities they earned through years of determination. It breaks my heart because this is not their fault. They did everything right. The war stole their future.”
For Alawiya, this fear has become a heavy emotional burden.
Like many refugee parents, she carries feelings of grief, helplessness, anxiety, and uncertainty. She constantly asks herself what the future holds for her children.
She knows that education gave them knowledge and skills, but without opportunities to continue their studies or begin their careers, she fears they may lose hope. Families led by a Sudanese refugee mother often struggle to secure stability for their children.
Despite everything they have endured, Alawiya refuses to give up.
She continues encouraging her children to believe that one day they will be able to continue their education, find meaningful employment, and rebuild their lives.
“”I tell my children not to give up. I pray that one day they will continue their studies, find work, and rebuild their lives. That is all I want as a mother.”
For Alawiya, hope has become an act of resilience. The story of each Sudanese refugee mother is a testament to perseverance and unwavering love.
She dreams of the day her children can once again pursue their professions, complete their education, and live with dignity.
“My greatest wish is simple. I want peace in Sudan I want my children to have the opportunity to continue building the futures they worked so hard to achieve their certifiactes.
Alawiya’s story is not unique.
Across refugee camps in Uganda and neighboring countries, thousands of Sudanese refugee parents share the same fear. They invested everything they had in their children’s education, believing it would provide security and opportunity. Instead, war has left many graduates unemployed, students unable to finish school, and families struggling to survive.
At Trauma Rescue Aid (TRAID), we meet mothers like Alawiya every day. Many carry invisible wounds caused by displacement, uncertainty, and the fear that their children’s futures are slipping away. Through psychosocial support, counseling services, and community outreach, we document survivors testimonies.
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