July 2026
FROM REFUGEE TO TEACHER AGAIN
How one refugee teacher helped hundreds of children find a place to learn again
Rebuilding childhoods through education in South Sudan
After fleeing conflict in Sudan, teacher and father Isa helped bring education back to hundreds of children who had lost almost everything.
School was once at the centre of Isa's life.
A father of seven and the owner of a primary school in Darfur, Sudan, he spent his days helping children learn and preparing them for the future.
Then conflict reached his community.
Like many others escaping violence, Isa and his family were forced to flee. Leaving behind their home, work and possessions, they crossed into South Sudan carrying little more than the clothes they were wearing.
Starting again
Arriving at a refugee settlement brought safety, but many challenges remained.
World Vision, working alongside the World Food Programme and supported by UNHCR, helped provide food, blankets and other essentials as families began rebuilding their lives.
At first, Isa concentrated on helping his own children adjust, finding ways to bring comfort and a sense of normality after everything they had been through.
But everywhere he looked, he saw children facing the same reality: no focus, no classroom, no routine and no clear sense of what the future might hold.
As an educator, he understood what was at stake.
Creating a place to learn again
With support from World Vision, Isa helped establish a community school in the settlement. What started as a small step quickly grew far beyond what Isa had imagined.
Today, more than 440 refugee children have returned to education and Isa is one of 13 refugee teachers helping lead this work.
More than a classroom
For Isa, education offers much more than lessons. It provides structure, stability and a sense of belonging in a region affected by ongoing humanitarian need.
"These schools are not only centres of teaching and learning" he starts.
[Schools] are pillars of peaceful coexistence between us (refugees) and our brothers and sisters in the host community.
Children who once faced uncertainty are now studying together, building friendships and learning new languages.
Isa's work as a teacher has also helped him support his own family. "My family can now have three meals a day instead of just one. This has made a big difference in our lives. It makes us feel more secure and healthy."
Why education matters in emergencies
When conflict forces families from their homes, schooling is often interrupted first. Yet education can be one of the most important parts of recovery. It helps restore routine, protects wellbeing and gives children reasons to believe in a future beyond crisis.
For hundreds of refugee children in South Sudan, Isa has helped make that possible.
Looking ahead
Isa's story shows how one person's determination can ripple outward through an entire community.
What began with a desire to see children learning again has become a source of stability, opportunity and hope for hundreds of families.
The children attending Isa's school today are beginning to imagine possibilities that once felt out of reach. By planning ahead, you can protect the people closest to you and, if you wish, leave a legacy that brings hope and opportunity to future generations.
That's why we're pleased to offer a free Will-writing service through our trusted partner, Octopus Legacy.
Create your Will for free
Whether you're making your first Will or updating an existing one, you can do so free of charge and in a way that suits you.
You can write your Will:
• Online
• Over the phone
• At a local branch
• Through a home visit
Creating a Will can give you peace of mind that your wishes are clearly recorded and that the people and causes you care about are provided for.
The impact of a gift in your Will
Many supporters choose to leave a share of their estate to World Vision after providing for family and friends. These gifts help children and communities build brighter futures for generations to come.
• 5% could help support 30 Savings Groups supporting 660 people build more secure livelihoods for their families.
• 10% could help 35,000 children receive nutritious school meals, helping them learn, grow and thrive.
• 20% could help bring clean water and sanitation to a healthcare centre, protecting patients and newborn babies.
Whatever size it may be, a gift in your Will becomes part of something bigger, helping create lasting change for children and communities around the world.
