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( ISSN 2811-2466 )                                                                                                                Anastase Niyonsaba1 * 

https://ijojournals.com/                                                          Volume 07 || Issue 12 || December, 2024 || 

Overcoming the socio-cultural challenges of refugees in the Mahama Refugee camp. 

 

 

Overcoming the socio-cultural challenges of refugees in the Mahama Refugee camp. 

Anastase Niyonsaba1 

Pan African University, Institute of Governance, Humanities & Social Sciences(PAUGHSS) 

University of Buea, Transborder Language and Intercultural Communication 

Buea, Cameroon 

 

Mendong Margaret Besin-Mengla2 
University of Buea, Department of Sociology and Anthropology  

Buea, Cameroon 

ABSTRACT 

This study investigates the effects of socio-cultural challenges experienced by refugees in the 
Mahama Refugee Camp in Rwanda and proposes potential remedies to these effects. The mixed 
approach was applied for the collection of data. Questionnaires wereadministered to 102 
respondents, while in-depth interviews were conducted to resource persons in the refugee 
camp.TheSociocultural theory by Vygotsky (1979) was employed to inspire the trend of research. 
This study used the purposive and random sampling to select research participants. Refugees 
were purposely selected to provide information about linguistic, cultural and communication 
challenges that they experience in the camp. The analysed data reveal a significant degree of 
socio-cultural challenges faced by refugees in the Mahama Refugee Camp. 82.4% of the refugees 
have language differences which make communication difficult.A considerable proportion of 
respondents (67.6%) reported experiencing culture shock, manifested primarily in feelings of 
isolation (75.5%) and heightened stress and anxiety (88.2%). Attitudes towards cultural 
integration were also assessed, with a small minority (23.5%) expressing support and a large 
majority (76.5%) preferring to maintain their cultural distinctiveness. The researchers 
recommend intercultural communication and integration workshops to make the camp a 
harmonious and comfortable place for all refugees. 
 
Keywords: cultural diversity, cultural integration, culture shock, and intercultural 
communication. 
 
INTRODUCTION 
When people flee in search of security, they need to adapt to their new environments. The 1951 
UN Refugee Convention declares a refugee as someone who has fled their country because of a 
well-founded fear of persecution on one of five grounds: race, religion, nationality, membership 
of a particular social group or political opinion (UN Refugee Convention, 1951). People from 
different ethnic groups coming might have to get used to the rules and norms that are prevalent 
among another ethnic group. Their language and culture might not match with that of their new 
locality. The Mahama Refugee Camp in Rwanda is home to thousands of refugees, from the 
Republic of Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo, who have escaped conflict and 
persecution in their homelands. The camp hosts refugees from diverse cultural backgrounds, each 

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I. IJO- INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCE AND HUMANITIES RESEARCH  

( ISSN 2811-2466 )                                                                                                                Anastase Niyonsaba1 * 

https://ijojournals.com/                                                          Volume 07 || Issue 12 || December, 2024 || 

Overcoming the socio-cultural challenges of refugees in the Mahama Refugee camp. 

 

 

with their own customs, beliefs, and practices. This diversity lead to misunderstandings, conflicts, 
and difficulties in communication and cooperation among the refugee population. Therefore, 
exploring and understanding these challenges is crucial for the effective management of the camp 
and the well-being of its residents. Hence, this study aims to conduct an in-depth analysis of the 
socio-cultural challenges faced by refugees in Mahama Refugee Camp. 
 
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM 
The Mahama Refugee Camp hosts individuals from Burundi and the Democratic Republic of 
Congo, each bringing distinct cultural background and languages. The absence of a shared 
language poses significant communication barriers among refugees and with the local Rwandan 
community, potentially obstructing their integration and access to essential services. Despite the 
common recognition of the multicultural issues in refugee camps, specific empirical research on 
these challenges remains limited. Also, Mahama Camp refugees often encounter difficulties 
adapting to Rwanda’s cultural landscape due to their diverse traditions, norms and values. This 
cultural diversity leads to misunderstandings and conflicts among the refugees and the local 
population. This research seeks to thoroughly investigate these socio-cultural challenges to 
enhance the camp’s management and improve the well-being of the refugees in the Mahama 
Camp. The rationale for this study is to examine the socio-cultural difficulties faced by the 
refugees in Mahama Camp and possible strategies that can be used to overcome these challenges.  

Research Question 
The study is centred on the following research questions:  
- What are the socio-cultural challenges faced by refugees in the Mahama Refugee Camp? 
- What are the strategies put in place to address these socio-cultural differences?  

 

Research Objectives 
The objectives of the study are as follows:  
- To analyse the different socio-cultural and challenges faced by refugees in Mahama Refugee 

Camp. 
- To investigate potential strategies and interventions to address these challenges. 
 
Research hypotheses 
- Cultural diversities and language differences are some of the challenges faced by refugees in 

the Mahama Refugee Camp. 
- Psychological preparedness and intercultural communication studies could be put in place to 

address these challenges. 
 
THEORETICAL FRAME WORK 
The Sociocultural theory was used to develop this research. According to Vygotsky (1979), 
human mental functioning is fundamentally a mediated process that is organized by cultural 
artefacts, activities and concepts. This theory looks at the important contributions that society 
makes to individual development. It stresses the interaction between developing people and the 
culture in which they live. Sociocultural theory also suggests that human learning is largely a 
social process. In other words, the way people interact with others and the culture in which they 

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I. IJO- INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCE AND HUMANITIES RESEARCH  

( ISSN 2811-2466 )                                                                                                                Anastase Niyonsaba1 * 

https://ijojournals.com/                                                          Volume 07 || Issue 12 || December, 2024 || 

Overcoming the socio-cultural challenges of refugees in the Mahama Refugee camp. 

 

 

live shape their mental abilities. This theory directly pertains to the study because communication 
between refugees and staff members primarily centres around interaction. Consequently, both 
parties must engage in mutual learning to facilitate effective interaction.   

Three fundamental tenets of the Sociocultural Theory by Vygotsky are social interaction, 
language and Zone of Proximal Development. In the context of this study, Mahama Refugee 
Camp which is home to refugees from a variety of cultural backgrounds, sociocultural theory 
helps us understand how cultural differences and diversity can both enrich and complicate 
interactions and relationships within the camp. Sociocultural theory also helps us understand how 
the social environment of the camp, including factors such as social structures, power dynamics, 
and interpersonal relationships, influence the well-being and integration of refugees. 
Sociocultural theory offers a valuable framework for understanding and responding to the 
complex challenges faced by refugees in multicultural settings, and for promoting a more 
inclusive and supportive environment for all individuals in the camp. By recognizing and valuing 
the diversity of cultural experiences and perspectives within the camp, we can work towards 
creating a more resilient and cohesive community. 

In order to address these challenges and promote the well-being of refugees in multicultural 
settings like Mahama Refugee Camp, it is essential to apply sociocultural theory in developing 
culturally sensitive and inclusive interventions and policies. This may involve creating spaces and 
opportunities for refugees to share and celebrate their cultural heritage, promoting intercultural 
dialogue and understanding among different groups, and empowering refugees to participate in 
decision-making processes that affect their lives. 

To collect data in this research, the researchers made use of secondary and primary sources of 
data collection. Secondary data were collected from documentary sources in libraries and from 
the internet. Primary data were collected through field research in the Mahama Refugee Camp. 
Fieldtrips to the Mahama Refugee camp enabled the collection of primary data. This study 
utilised the purposive and simple random sampling to select research participants. 102 refugees 
were purposely selected to provide information about linguistic, cultural and communication 
challenges that they experience in the camp. These include refugee executive committee 
members, quarter leaders, village leaders who provide a voice for the refugee community. Out of 
the 102 respondents, the gender distribution of participants shows that 53 (51.96 ) were female 
and 49 (48.04 ) were males. The age group of respondents shows that 11.76  of respondents 
are in the 15–20 age range, another 26.47  falls into the 21–25 age range, while 61.76  are in 
the 26-age range and above. Marital Status of respondents shows that 21 (20.59 ) respondents 
are divorced, 35 (34.31 ) are married, while 46 (45.10 ) are single. 52 (50.98 ) respondents 
were born in Burundi, while 50 (49.02 ) respondents were born in DR Congo. This near-equal 
distribution suggests that the sample provides a balanced representation of individuals from both 
countries. This balance is beneficial for comparative analyses that aim to understand language 
and cultural diversities across these two groups. Table 1 below illustrates the demographic data of 
respondents. 

 

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I. IJO- INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCE AND HUMANITIES RESEARCH  

( ISSN 2811-2466 )                                                                                                                Anastase Niyonsaba1 * 

https://ijojournals.com/                                                          Volume 07 || Issue 12 || December, 2024 || 

Overcoming the socio-cultural challenges of refugees in the Mahama Refugee camp. 

 

 

 

Table 1: Demographic data frequencies 

 

Gender Age Marital status Place of birth 

Female Male 15–20 21–25 26 + Divorced Married Single Burundi DRC 

Count 53 49 12 27 63 21 35 46 52 50 

% 52.0 48.0 11.8 26.5 61.8 20.6 34.3 45.1 51.0 49.0 

Source: Fieldwork, 2024 

Quantitative data from questionnaires were analysed using the Statistics Package for the Social 
Sciences (SPSS). This method of data analysis helped to covert quantitative data to frequencies 
and percentages. The crosstabulation method was used to present the frequencies and 
percentages. Tables showing the relationship between two or more variables were used to analyse 
related quantities of data obtained in this study. Qualitative data were analysed using content 
analysis method. Qualitative data obtained from the field and from documentary research were 
examined and conclusions drawn. 

FINDINGS  

Socio-cultural challenges faced by Refugee in the Mahama Camp 
 
Language problems 
In the Mahama Refugee Camp, language differences are a prevalent socio-cultural challenge 
faced by the refugees. The language distribution shows that majority of respondents speaks 
Kirundi (50 ), followed by Lingala (48.04 ). French and Kiswahili are spoken by a very small 
fraction of the respondents, each at 0.98 . Kirundi and Lingala are the dominant languages in 
the camp, together accounting for 98.04  of the total. This indicates a strong linguistic presence 
of these two languages within Mahama Camp. The dominance of Kirundi and Lingala suggests 
that these languages play a significant role in the cultural and social interactions within the 
community. Programs and services should consider using these languages to effectively reach 
and engage the refugees. Figure 1 below illustrates the languages spoken. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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I. IJO- INTERNATIONAL JOURNA

( ISSN 2811-2466 )                                                                             

https://ijojournals.com/                                                          

Overcoming the socio

 

 
 
 
 
Figure 1: Languages spoken 
 

Source: Fieldwork, 2024 

The camp uses different languages including Kirundi, Kinyarwanda, Kiswahili, Lingala, French, 
Arabic, and mother tongues. 85.3 
significant challenge. The presence of many languages and the fact that refugees do not 
understand all the languages in the refugee camp makes it difficult for the refugees to easily 
communicate and interact. This underscores the importance of addressing language barriers to 
improve communication in the camp.

Similarly, cultural diversities are highlighted as a significant challenge, with 29.7 
and 86.3  of cases, indicating that the divers
misunderstandings or communication difficulties.
pointed to cultural diversities as a challenge. This indicates that the diversity of cultural 
backgrounds can lead to misunderstandings or communication challenges. Diversity enriches the 
camp experience but it also requires effective management to prevent misunderstandings. 
Overcrowding and lack of privacy is also a prominent barrier, with 28.4 
 of cases, suggesting that overcrowding can impede effective communication by reducing 
privacy and increasing stress.Overcrowding 
communication breakdowns. Ethnocentrism, with 7.1 
notable barrier which can hinder open and respectful communication in the camp. Although less 
frequent, discrimination and racism are significant with 5.4 
highlighting the impact of prejudices and discrim
highlights the cultural and communication challenges faced by refugees in the camp.
 

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCE AND HUMANITIES RESEA

                                                                                            Anastase Niyonsaba

                                                          Volume 07 || Issue 12 || December, 2024 ||

Overcoming the socio-cultural challenges of refugees in the Mahama Refugee camp. 

 

The camp uses different languages including Kirundi, Kinyarwanda, Kiswahili, Lingala, French, 
Arabic, and mother tongues. 85.3  of respondents identified language differences as a 
significant challenge. The presence of many languages and the fact that refugees do not 
understand all the languages in the refugee camp makes it difficult for the refugees to easily 

ract. This underscores the importance of addressing language barriers to 
improve communication in the camp. 

Similarly, cultural diversities are highlighted as a significant challenge, with 29.7 
of cases, indicating that the diversity of cultural background can lead to 

misunderstandings or communication difficulties. The findings show that 86.3 
pointed to cultural diversities as a challenge. This indicates that the diversity of cultural 

derstandings or communication challenges. Diversity enriches the 
camp experience but it also requires effective management to prevent misunderstandings. 
Overcrowding and lack of privacy is also a prominent barrier, with 28.4  of responses and 82.4 

ses, suggesting that overcrowding can impede effective communication by reducing 
Overcrowding exacerbates stress and discomfort, leading to 

Ethnocentrism, with 7.1  of responses and 20.6 
notable barrier which can hinder open and respectful communication in the camp. Although less 
frequent, discrimination and racism are significant with 5.4  of responses and 15.7 
highlighting the impact of prejudices and discriminatory behaviours on communication.
highlights the cultural and communication challenges faced by refugees in the camp.

AND HUMANITIES RESEARCH  

Niyonsaba1 * 

Volume 07 || Issue 12 || December, 2024 || 

 

The camp uses different languages including Kirundi, Kinyarwanda, Kiswahili, Lingala, French, 
of respondents identified language differences as a 

significant challenge. The presence of many languages and the fact that refugees do not 
understand all the languages in the refugee camp makes it difficult for the refugees to easily 

ract. This underscores the importance of addressing language barriers to 

Similarly, cultural diversities are highlighted as a significant challenge, with 29.7  of responses 
ity of cultural background can lead to 

 of respondents 
pointed to cultural diversities as a challenge. This indicates that the diversity of cultural 

derstandings or communication challenges. Diversity enriches the 
camp experience but it also requires effective management to prevent misunderstandings. 

of responses and 82.4 
ses, suggesting that overcrowding can impede effective communication by reducing 

stress and discomfort, leading to 
of responses and 20.6  of cases, is a 

notable barrier which can hinder open and respectful communication in the camp. Although less 
of responses and 15.7  of cases, 

inatory behaviours on communication.Table 2 
highlights the cultural and communication challenges faced by refugees in the camp. 

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I. IJO- INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCE AND HUMANITIES RESEARCH  

( ISSN 2811-2466 )                                                                                                                Anastase Niyonsaba1 * 

https://ijojournals.com/                                                          Volume 07 || Issue 12 || December, 2024 || 

Overcoming the socio-cultural challenges of refugees in the Mahama Refugee camp. 

 

 

 
 
 
 
Table 2: Cultural and communication challenges faced by refugees  
Cultural and Communication Barriers Frequencies 
 Responses 

N Percent 

Language differences 87 29.4% 
Ethnocentrism 21 7.1% 
Overcrowding and lack of privacy 84 28.4% 

Discrimination and racism 16 5.4% 

Cultural diversities 88 29.7% 
Source: Fieldwork, 2024 

Culture shock 
Culture shock in the Mahama refugee camp is another socio-cultural challenge faced by the 
refugees.Culture shock is the affective, behavioural, and cognitive disorientation that sojourners 
experience when in an unfamiliar culture (Zhang & Goodson, 2011; Hotta& Ting-Toomey, 
2013). Culture shock can be seen as an unfamiliar event, which is not only under-defined, is little 
understood but also is unpredictable. Saylag (2014) referred to culture shock as a period of 
psychological distress, readjustment and stressful demands, a time when people process many 
powerful emotions, both positive and negative, perhaps for the first time in their lives.  
 
Field research shows that the majority of the respondents, that is 60.8 , have experienced 
culture shock. This indicates that nearly 6 out of 10 refugees faced challenges adapting to a new 
cultural environment. On the other hand, a significant portion of the respondents, 39.2 , did not 
experience culture shock. This suggests that more than half of the refugees were unable to adapt 
to the new cultures as seen in the table below. 
 
The refugees in the Mahama Refugee Camp encounter psychological challenges. From the 
findings, increased stress and anxiety is the most frequently reported challenge, with 29.7  of 
responses and 88.2  of cases, which shows that stress and anxiety are prevalent emotional 
challenges among refugees in the camp. The refugees also face the problem of isolation and 
depression, with 25.4  of responses and 75.5  of cases, indicating that isolation and 
depression are significant issues in the camp.  
 
Culture shock, is also a notable psychological challenge, with 22.8  of responses and 67.6  of 
cases, reflecting the challenge of adapting to a new cultural environment. Representing 12.2  of 
responses and 36.3 , loss of identity highlights the impact of cultural transition on personal 
identity. Although the least frequently mentioned, feeling of displacement accounts for 9.9  of 
responses and 29.4  of cases, indicating the relevance of displacement within the camp. The 

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I. IJO- INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCE AND HUMANITIES RESEARCH  

( ISSN 2811-2466 )                                                                                                                Anastase Niyonsaba1 * 

https://ijojournals.com/                                                          Volume 07 || Issue 12 || December, 2024 || 

Overcoming the socio-cultural challenges of refugees in the Mahama Refugee camp. 

 

 

high percentages of stress, anxiety, isolation, and depression underscore the need for robust 
mental health support services including counselling, support groups, and stress management 
programs in the camp.  
 
The majority of the respondents, 60.8, reported experiencing culture shock. This indicates that 
nearly 6 out of 10 refugees faced challenges adapting to a new cultural environment. On the other 
hand, a significant portion of the respondents, 39.2,did not experience culture shock. This 
suggests that more than half of the refugees were unable to adapt to the new cultures. 

Some aspects of camp life were found very different from those of refugees in their respective 
homes. Food and cuisine are the most frequently mentioned aspect, with 27.8 of responses and 
58 of cases, possibly due to the importance of dietary preferences and cultural food practises. 
Social norms and customs are also a major aspect of camp life with 26.9 of responses and 
56.9 of cases. Daily routines are another important aspect with 25.5 of responses and 53.9 
of cases, indicating the role of structured activities and routines in the daily lives of refugees. 
Language and communication, although the least frequently mentioned, account for 19.9 of 
responses and 42.2 of cases. 

Table 3: Aspects of camp life found most different 
 
Camp life Frequencies 

 Responses 

N Percent 

Social norms and customs 58 26.9% 

Language and communication 43 19.9% 

Daily routines 55 25.5% 

Food and cuisine 60 27.8% 

Source : Fieldwork, 2024 
 
Some refugees who made up 3.7 of respondents considered their campmates strangers. It is 
demonstrated that 42.9 of the respondents engage in regular conversations and activities which 
is a primary way refugees bond. The second activity is social events and gatherings, with 39.8 
of respondents, indicating that attending social events is also a significant bonding activity. 
Showing empathy and support is less common but notable, with 13.6 of respondents, which 
marks the importance of emotional support in building bonds. The presence of refugees who 
consider other refugees as strangers indicates a need for inclusive activities that encourage 
participation and reduce social isolation in the camp.The table below shows how refugees bond, 
socialise and cohabit among themselves. 
 
 
 
 
 

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I. IJO- INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCE AND HUMANITIES RESEARCH  

( ISSN 2811-2466 )                                                                                                                Anastase Niyonsaba1 * 

https://ijojournals.com/                                                          Volume 07 || Issue 12 || December, 2024 || 

Overcoming the socio-cultural challenges of refugees in the Mahama Refugee camp. 

 

 

 
 
 
 

Table 4: Bonding and cohabitation 

Bonding Frequencies 
 Responses 

N Percent 
Engage in regular conversations and activities with 
them 

82 42.9% 

Attend social events and gatherings together 76 39.8% 

Show empathy and support towards them 26 13.6% 

Strangers 7 3.7% 
Source: Fieldwork, 2024 
 
Some strategies to cope with culture shock were mentioned by respondents as follows: 
connecting with fellow refugees is the most common strategy, with 32.9 of responses and 52 
of cases, which shows that finding support from individuals with similar backgrounds are 
primary way refugees cope with culture shock. Cultural exchange is the second strategy, with 
21.7 of responses and 34.3 of cases, indicating that engaging in cultural exchange activities 
helps refugees adapt to new environments. Learning the local language (Kinyarwanda) is also a 
significant strategy with 19.9 of responses and 31.4 of cases. Although less common, seeking 
counselling or support groups is notable with 8.7 of responses and 13.7 of cases. A notable 
portion, of 16.8 of responses and 26.5 of cases, indicates that some refugees do not actively 
use any specific strategies to cope with culture shock. 
 
Table 5: Strategies to cope with culture shock 
Strategies to cope with culture shock Frequencies 
 Responses 

N Percent 
Connecting with fellow refugees from 
similar backgrounds 

53 32.9% 

Participating in cultural exchange 
programs 

35 21.7% 

Seeking counselling or support groups 14 8.7% 
None 27 16.8% 
Learning the local language 32 19.9% 
Source: Fieldwork, 2024 

Cultural differences and difficulties in accessingvital services  

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I. IJO- INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCE AND HUMANITIES RESEARCH  

( ISSN 2811-2466 )                                                                                                                Anastase Niyonsaba1 * 

https://ijojournals.com/                                                          Volume 07 || Issue 12 || December, 2024 || 

Overcoming the socio-cultural challenges of refugees in the Mahama Refugee camp. 

 

 

The study also assesses barriers to access services due to cultural background. Respondents were 
given two options indicated in the questionnaire. Those two options were Yes or No. the 
respondents were also asked to give reasons for their answer. Results from the findings indicate 
that barriers to access services exist in the camp. The results show that 24.51  participants face 
challenges in accessing services due to different cultures. Besides, 75.49 opted for No. in doing 
so, their answers indicated that linguistic and cultural aspects are not barriers in accessing 
services in the camp. The results presented in Table 6 clearly shows this trend.  

Table 6: Barriers to access primary services 

Barriers to access primary services because of cultural background 

 Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent 

No 77 75.5 75.5 75.5 
Yes 25 24.5 24.5 100.0 

Total 102 100.0 100.0  
Source: Fieldwork, 2024 
 
Among those who said that they face challenges to access services due to their cultural 
differences, many of them mentioned access to health care and education services. Health care 
services in the camp are scarce, lack of good medications, transfers to referral hospitals that are 
not easy to get, among others; One respondent said:  

Sometimes in our culture, if you are a girl, only your husband is allowed to see you and you can’t be treated 
unless there are female doctors and she is not even allowed to discuss with strangers which can limit the way 
of expressing her sickness to the doctors.It is hard to afford medications once you have a serious sickness. It is 
hard to be transferred to another hospital even though you are very sick. 

 
Another respondent laments that their children don’t receive educational materials and 
equipment. She went further to explain that“education is free here in camp but nowadays our 
children are no longer receiving enough school materials as it used to be, we don’t know why 
they reduced them. Sometimes our children don’t receive any school materials.” 

Challenges in Intercultural Marriages 
To gain insights of the views of refugees on the cultural aspects of the idea of marrying or dating 
someone from another culture, refugees were asked to choose either Yes, No, Maybe, or I Don’t 
know for their answers. The result in Table 16 below shows that 6.9agreed that they can marry, 
26.5 were doubting, 14.7 said No, while 6.9 said they don’t know. 
 
Table 7: Marriage consideration 
Marriage consideration 

 Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent 

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I. IJO- INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCE AND HUMANITIES RESEARCH  

( ISSN 2811-2466 )                                                                                                                Anastase Niyonsaba1 * 

https://ijojournals.com/                                                          Volume 07 || Issue 12 || December, 2024 || 

Overcoming the socio-cultural challenges of refugees in the Mahama Refugee camp. 

 

 

I don’t know 7 6.9 6.9 6.9 

Maybe 27 26.5 26.5 33.3 
No 15 14.7 14.7 48.0 
Yes 53 52.0 52.0 100.0 
Total 102 100.0 100.0  
Source: Fieldwork, 2024 

From the above findings, the majority of the respondents 53 (52%) respondents, has a positive 
consideration of marriage, indicating a strong inclination towards marriage among the individuals 
surveyed. A significant portion, 26.5 responded “Maybe,”suggesting that while they are open 
to the idea of marriage, they have reservations or conditions that need to be met. 14.7 of 
respondents responded “No,”indicating a clear decision against considering marriage. A small 
fraction, 6.9 responded “I don’t know,” reflecting uncertainty or lack of definitive stance on 
marriage consideration. 

Impact of multicultural challenges on daily interactions, decision-making, and community 
cohesion 

Table 8: Emotionaland psychological effects  
Emotional and psychological effects Frequencies 
 Responses 

N Percent 
Increased stress and anxiety 90 29.7% 
Sense of isolation and depression 77 25.4% 
Culture shock 69 22.8% 
Loss of identity 37 12.2% 
Feeling of displacement 30 9.9% 
Source: Fieldwork, 2024 

As mentioned in Table 8, multicultural challenges pose several emotional and psychological 
effects on refugees in Mahama Refugee Camp. The findings rank increased stress and anxiety as 
the most frequently reported effect, with 29.7 of responses and 88.2 of cases, which shows 
that stress and anxiety are prevalent emotional effects among refugees in the camp. The second 
most common effect is sense of isolation and depression, with 25.4 of responses and 75.5 of 
cases, indicating that isolation and depression are significant issues in the camp. Culture shock, is 
also a notable psychological effect, with 22.8 of responses and 67.6 of cases, reflecting the 
challenges of adapting to a new cultural environment. Representing 12.2 of responses and 
36.3, loss of identity highlights the impact of cultural transition on personal identity. Although 
the least frequently mentioned, feeling of displacement accounts for 9.9 of responses and 
29.4 of cases, indicating the relevance of displacement within the camp.The high percentages 
of stress, anxiety, isolation, and depression underscore the need for robust mental health support 
services including counselling, support groups, and stress management programs in the camp.  

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I. IJO- INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCE AND HUMANITIES RESEARCH  

( ISSN 2811-2466 )                                                                                                                Anastase Niyonsaba1 * 

https://ijojournals.com/                                                          Volume 07 || Issue 12 || December, 2024 || 

Overcoming the socio-cultural challenges of refugees in the Mahama Refugee camp. 

 

 

DISCUSSION OF THE FINDINGS 
Descriptively, findings show that the majority of respondents, agreed that the refugees in 
Mahama Refugee Camp face cultural and communication challenges because of language 
differences, cultural diversities, overcrowding and lack of privacy, discrimination and racism, and 
ethnocentrism.The refugee camp uses different languages including Kirundi, Kinyarwanda, 
Kiswahili, Lingala, French, Arabic, and mother tongues. 85.3 of respondents identified 
language differences as a significant challenge. This high percentage underscores the importance 
of addressing language barriers to improve communication in the camp. 

The findings show that 86.3 of respondents pointed cultural diversities as a challenge. This 
indicates that the diversity of cultural backgrounds can lead to misunderstandings or 
communication challenges. Diversity enriches the camp experience, but it also requires effective 
management to prevent misunderstandings. Among the respondents, 82.4reported 
overcrowding and lack of privacy as a challenge. Overcrowding can exacerbate stress and 
discomfort, leading to communication breakdowns. It also suggests that physical conditions could 
impede effective communication by reducing privacy and increasing stress.15.7of the 
respondents reported discrimination and racism as an issue. Although a lower percentage 
compared to other factors, it remains a critical area that needs attention to ensure a safe and 
inclusive camp environment. Ethnocentrism was identified as a cause of cultural challenges by 
20.6% of respondents. This reflects the tendency of individuals to view their own culture as 
superior, which can hinder open, respectful, and effective intercultural communication in the 
camp.In conclusion, language differences and cultural diversities are the most pressing issues, 
followed by overcrowding and lack of privacy. Addressing these challenges through targeted 
strategies can significantly enhance communication and cultural coexistence in the camp. 

According to theresults, majority of respondents agreed that the causes of socio-cultural 
challenges include language and communication barriers, cultural differences, lack of 
interpreters, limited access to technology.The effects include culture shock, increased stress and 
anxiety, sense of isolation, conflicts and miscommunication. This is in agreement with Thomas 
(1985) who stated that symptoms of culture shock include depression, helplessness, hostility to 
the host country, feelings of anxiety, overidentification with home country, feelings of 
withdrawal, homesickness, loneliness, paranoid feelings, preoccupation with cleanliness, 
irritability, confusion, disorientation, isolation, tension, defensiveness, intolerance of ambiguity, 
and impatience.  
 

The findings show that 77.5 of respondents identifiedlanguage barriers as a big challenge, with 
a numerical value of 79. This high percentage underscores the importance of addressing language 
barriers to improve communication and cultural integration in the camp.A lack of interpreters 
was highlighted by 59.8% of the respondents as a hindrance to successful communication. 
Increasing the availability of interpreters can significantly reduce communication challenges 
within the camp.Specific cultural norms and practices cause misunderstandings among refugees, 
as highlighted by 47.1% of respondents. These norms include food and cuisine (58.8%), social 
norms and customs (56.9%), language and communication (58.8%), and daily routines (53.9%). 
 

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( ISSN 2811-2466 )                                                                                                                Anastase Niyonsaba1 * 

https://ijojournals.com/                                                          Volume 07 || Issue 12 || December, 2024 || 

Overcoming the socio-cultural challenges of refugees in the Mahama Refugee camp. 

 

 

The findings show that 42.2 of the respondents have limited access to technology. This affects 
their harmonious stay within the camp as they have limited access to information. This view is in 
line with Quintanilla (2013:1) contends that, refugees are living in an information void and 
communication gap environment. They are left in the dark about what is happening around 
them.24.5 of the respondents face barriers in accessing services such as education and health 
care services. Among the reasons provided include language barriers and communication issues, 
expensive medications, lack of school materials and equipment.   
 

A high percentage of respondents, 88.2%, reported experiencing increased stress and anxiety. 
This indicates that cultural and communication barriers significantly contribute to mental and 
health issues.Feelings of isolation and depression were indicated by 75.5% of respondents. This 
shows that some refugees face severe emotional distress.Cultural differences are at 86.3. Thus, 
67.6 of respondents faced culture shock. The latter has affected their emotional well-being by 
feeling isolated at 75.5 and increasing stress and anxiety at 88.2. 23.5 of the respondents 
supported the idea of integrating other cultures into their own, while 76.5 did not support the 
idea of integration.This highlights the challenges individuals face when adapting to a new 
cultural environment. This in concord with Furnham and Bochner (1982) who asserted that 
culture shock occurs in the social encounters, social situations, social episodes, or social 
transactions between sojourners and host nationals. In other words, we experience culture shock 
when many familiar cultural cues and patterns are severed, when our values and beliefs are 
questioned in a new environment (Kohls, 1984). 

A sense of loss of identity was reported by 36.3% of respondents. This occurred when they felt 
disconnected from their cultural roots and struggle to find a place in their new setting of the 
camp.Feelings of displacement were reported by 29.4% of respondents. This reflects the 
emotional turmoil of being uprooted from familiar surroundings and the difficulty of establishing 
a sense of belonging in the new environment. 

RECOMMENDATIONS 
 All refugees are recommended to play their part in making the camp a harmonious and 
comfortable place for them by sharing personal stories and experiences, participating in 
community leadership and cultural awareness events. Refugees should be of best behaviour in 
order not to violate camp rules, regulations, and norms of both the host community and their 
mates.In addition, integration training should also include the cultural aspects on how to live 
together in intercultural domains and how to communicate with individuals of diverse cultural 
backgrounds.   
 

The lack of integration, lack of communication, and lack of relationship among refugees create 
tension, which in return, can lead to serious conflicts due to the fact that, those refugees have 
differences based on their cultural, historical, and geographical backgrounds. In this regard, 
refugees should gradually receive intercultural communication and integration workshops to 
learn and exchange ideas and experiences. This will create mutual relationships and enhance 
interactions because when refugees understand that different cultures and languages are 
important, it will reduce ethnocentrism, and will give them a room to be open-minded and ready 

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( ISSN 2811-2466 )                                                                                                                Anastase Niyonsaba1 * 

https://ijojournals.com/                                                          Volume 07 || Issue 12 || December, 2024 || 

Overcoming the socio-cultural challenges of refugees in the Mahama Refugee camp. 

 

 

to learn from others. This will eventually contribute in reducing linguistic and cultural challenges 
in the camp simply because refugees will be able to accommodate each other. 
 

Another recommendation is for integration efforts to be put in place to solve linguistic and 
cultural communication challenges in the Mahama Camp and other refugee camps in Rwanda, 
should be put in place. The study recommends that regional schemes such as East African 
Community and the Great Lakes Region should help the hosting community by providing 
expertise on intercultural communication integration trainings, funds as well as encouraging 
refugees to learn and accommodate each other. Furthermore, projects, education and health 
facilities such as schools and hospitals should benefit both refugees and hosts. This will bring a 
good neighbourliness and harmony between hosts and refugees in the region. 
 

CONCLUSION 
This study has discussed and analysed the findings obtained from the research conducted 
onsocio-cultural challenges faced by refugees in Mahama Refugee Camp. The existence of 
diverse social groups and ethnicity, discrimination, hatred and lack of trust between refugees and 
host hamper the interaction and acculturation. Thus, increased stress and anxiety, sense of 
isolation, conflicts and miscommunication are considered to be the main effects of culture shock 
which is prevalent in the camp. In addition, intercultural communication is a challenge in the 
camp due to language barriers. Camp staff and refugees do not all speak the same languages. The 
researchers opine that there is a strong need of strategies and initiatives that address these socio-
cultural challenges among refugees in the camp. These strategies and initiatives include, 
provision of interpreters to ease communication, comprehensive language training, vocational 
skills development, cultural exchange workshops, community dialogues, advocating for 
inclusivity, providing psychosocial support, and mass sports activities.  
 
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( ISSN 2811-2466 )                                                                                                                Anastase Niyonsaba1 * 

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( ISSN 2811-2466 )                                                                                                                Anastase Niyonsaba1 * 

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https://www.unhcr.org/glossary/
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	STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
	Research Objectives
	The objectives of the study are as follows: 
	Research hypotheses

