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YES Alumni Grant: Camped Not Caged

Students fully participating during the interfaith and harmony activity

By Teryima Manta (YES 2016-2017, Nigeria, placed by ACES in Aledo, IL)

Losing my parents at a young age was a profound challenge, but my exchange year in Aledo, Illinois gave me a second family—my host parents, John and Sharon. Sharon managed a local food pantry, where I volunteered over 200 hours, gaining firsthand experience in community service and its impact.

While in Aledo, I played American football for the Golden Eagles of Mercer County, contributing to the team’s victory in the Class 2A State Championship. Sports and volunteer work helped me integrate into my host community. My experience in Aledo deepened my sense of purpose and strengthened my commitment to social impact upon returning to Nigeria.

A student practicing hand washing at IDP camp Ichwa

Benue State, often called the "Food Basket of the Nation," is known for its agricultural potential and rich culture. Home to multiple different groups, the dominant religion is Christianity, though traditional religious practices and Islam are also practiced. The Tiv people, my tribe, are known for their hospitality and agrarian way of life. Our cultural heritage is showcased in traditional performances like Kwagh-Hir, which blend storytelling, dance, and masquerades.

However, Benue State faces ongoing herder-farmer conflicts over land resources, primarily between Tiv farmers and Fulani herders. These clashes have led to displacement, violence, and food insecurity, resulting in a humanitarian crisis. According to Displacement Tracking Matrix Nigeria, approximately 390,000 people, including children, now live in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps with inadequate access to education, healthcare, and basic amenities.

In response, I collaborated with two schools to launch my YES Alumni Grant project, Camped Not Caged, a three-day educational sports initiative for 800 children, ages four to 16, at the Ichwa and NEPA IDP Camps in Makurdi. Held in October 2024, the project focused on education, health, peacebuilding, and sports.

Student learning mathematics at IDP Camp Nepa Quarters

In 2017, I participated in the Amideast Interfaith Harmony and Peace Building Workshop in Washington, DC, where I learned strategies for fostering dialogue and conflict resolution. Inspired by this experience, I knew I wanted to incorporate a peacebuilding component into my project. During the first two days of the project, a team of 20 educators led literacy and math lessons for primary school students and led rhymes and drawing activities for younger children. These sessions aimed to improve communication skills, enhance problem-solving abilities, and encourage creativity. Using methods from the Amideast workshop, our peacebuilding sessions taught conflict resolution and teamwork, equipping the children with the skills to navigate disputes peacefully. Additionally, our medical team provided hygiene education and demonstrated proper handwashing to prevent the spread of disease.

On the third day, we organized a fun day of sports, featuring track and field events like the 100-meter race, sack race, jump rope contest, and shuttle race. A friendly soccer match was held between the two camps, and children enjoyed a bounce castle—a first experience for most of them. To encourage ongoing sports participation, we donated balls, jump ropes, whistles, and sportswear.

Through this project, we aimed to create a safe space where displaced children can not only survive, but thrive. My vision is to nurture young minds who will become future leaders, breaking cycles of poverty and displacement in Nigeria.

Children living in the two IDP camps getting ready for a novelty soccer match

Ella, a representative of the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (BSEMA), expressed appreciation for the initiative: "We have received help before, but never in education. This is the first of its kind. Many classrooms are overcrowded, and students lack seats. Thank you for bringing this program to our camp. We hope to see you again soon."

Looking ahead, we plan to expand Camped Not Caged to more IDP camps across Benue State and Nigeria. The project strengthened my leadership and collaboration skills, and many team members expressed a desire to continue giving back to their communities.

I extend my gratitude to BSEMA for supporting the project and to our dedicated volunteer team. I’m also tremendously grateful to Living God Academy NEPA Quarters and Care River Hope Housing Academy—two community-run schools within the IDP camps that provide basic education to displaced children. Their support in mobilizing students, offering learning spaces, and coordinating logistics was instrumental in making this initiative a success. Special thanks to the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, which sponsors the YES program, for equipping me with the skills and resources to bring this project to life.


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