Describes a three-year study (2005-2007) of refugee children in eight Sub-Saharan Africa refugee camps using art to administer Participatory Assessments (PAs) to discover their perception of camp life, violence levels, coping skills, and offers a medium to suggest ways to improve their situation. Key issues that surfaced were: high levels of violence within the refugee camps; discrimination by local populations; gender-based violence, including harassment and rape against girls; lack of protection for orphans; forced marriages due to unwanted pregnancies; alcohol and substance abuse; and communal tasks that endanger children (i.e., gathering firewood or collecting water). Most children, especially girls, expressed high levels of anxiety and fear and they felt unloved, rejected, and confused. In response, the United Nations High Commissioner of Refugees (UNHCR) heightened awareness of children’s rights, increased visibility of counselors/social workers and security personnel, added security guardsduring wood gathering and water collection; eliminated the practice of corporal punish-ment in schools, and established safe recreation facilities for children. The use of the PA process increased self-confidence and respect of the children and allowed them to voice their concerns and participate in the formulation of problem solving strategies.
