My experiences of data collection in a context of displacement

My experiences of data collection in a context of displacement

By Vasco Musebo

“Together as one”, “Together we can.”

My name is Vasco Musebo, a peer researcher for Jigsaw in Zambia. I am a Congolese refugee, and have lived in Meheba refugee settlement since 2016.

I am a non-active refugee teacher. I worked as a language teacher for seven years, five in my country of origin (the DRC), and two here in Zambia.

In fact, being a refugee and a researcher at the same time (collecting interview and Focus Group Discussion data with both national and refugee teachers) seemed quite difficult at the beginning. I assumed that it could be seen to be playing with fire as many organisations and individuals across the world were to hear the outcome of my findings, including the Zambian government.

It felt to me as if we were challenging the government by examining and exposing their weakness in the education sector, which seemed somehow offensive in nature. Fortunately, the more I engaged myself in the assignment, the more fearless I became. I discovered that I was not alone, but surrounded by a very powerful shell of defense composed of a variety of well-placed organisations and stakeholders.

Furthermore, visiting and meeting other nationalities and collecting data from them was unbelievable. Every ethnic group has a way of sharing their hidden secrets, information or thoughts with others and, sometimes, they cannot open up regardless of your position or authorisation.

What made me successful in the data collection was the experience I already had as a teacher of different nationalities, as well as the knowledge, strategies, and code of conduct I acquired through the training from Jigsaw.

Regarding the Focus Group Discussion, I experienced something very admirable (to be highlighted in this narrative of course). At first, the interaction with our participants was balanced from both parts (between national teachers and refugee teachers). But later on, I was amazed and unexpectedly surprised to see and hear the national teachers expressing their bitterness on behalf of refugee teachers, who are treated with less consideration of their rights and working conditions (poor payment, refugee teacher inclusion almost not there, etc…).

I remember one of the national teachers declaring, “We are all one, all Africans, same blood color, created by one God; everyone can be a refugee, but why is it that a refugee teacher is segregated?”. It was so touching to hear.

From this experience, I deeply understood that this research is a very significant opportunity and has paved the way for participants to open their hearts and share their hidden demands for change in the intellectual world.

I would simply encourage Jigsaw and all the parties involved into this research, not to give up until participants’ request is granted. I pledge to remain supportive, engaged into this struggle until the dream is fully achieved.

“Together as one”, “Together we can.”

Funding

This work is supported by the Global Partnership for Education Knowledge and Innovation Exchange, a joint endeavour with the International Development Research Centre, Canada. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of IDRC or its Board of Governors.