26/03/2026
The Refugee Youth for Self-Assistance (RYSA) is a Community-Based-Organization (CBO) founded in February 8, 2017, in Dzaleka Refugee Camp, Dowa District, Malawi. It was started by a group of young refugees who are survivors from abuse, civil wars, family discrimination, and torture in their countries of origin.
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RYSA aims to bring together young refugees and host communities to promote self-reliance, reduce marginalization, and build a more resilient society. Key focuses include:
- Raising awareness to prevent risks that hinder youth development, such as early pregnancies and premature marriages.
- Addressing issues like unsanitary conditions, lack of religious choice, poor cultural integration, harmful cultural behaviors, limited skill-building, leadership barriers, and unequal access to opportunities.
- Preparing youth for development through passion-driven work, innovative solutions, and social progress.
- Vision: To become a platform that equips youth with theoretical and practical skills to expand professional opportunities and promote self-reliance.
Their work falls under community health and youth empowerment, targeting both refugees in the camp and surrounding host communities.
in Dzaleka and Surrounding Areas
RYSA operates as a grassroots, youth-led initiative with a focus on awareness-raising, capacity building, inclusive massively sports and practical support. Reported reach includes supporting around 12,500 beneficiaries annually (based on older platform data). Specific activities include:
- and : Education on sexual and reproductive health risks (e.g., early pregnancy and child marriage prevention), hygiene/sanitation improvement, stigma and cultural integration between refugees and host communities.
- and : Programs to build practical skills, leadership abilities, and equal opportunities for youth.
- - : Encouraging innovative solutions for livelihoods and reducing vulnerability through training and community engagement.
- and : Broader efforts to support refugees and host populations, including potential involvement in health-related or empowerment activities..
The organization works in Dzaleka Refugee Camp ,Mkukula village) and extends support to nearby host communities. It is listed as a non-profit providing general support services in the local Dzaleka directory.
Public information on highly specific or very recent projects (2025–2026) is limited — like many refugee-led groups in Dzaleka, actually RYSA Organization operates with modest resources and focuses on direct community-level interventions rather than large-scale publicized programs.
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- Kawale 1 / , Dzaleka Refugee Camp, Dowa District, Malawi
-Operating hours :Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone**: +265 992 57 34 25
- Facebook**: RYSA Organization (facebook.com/RYSA.Org)
- Key Contacts: Frank Djuma Msambya and Joyce Chisewu Banda (among others involved).
RYSA Organization is one of several youth- and refugee-led organizations in Dzaleka contributing to self-help, empowerment, and community cohesion amid challenging conditions in the camp (which hosts tens of thousands of refugees from countries like the DRC, Burundi, and others).
For the most current details on ongoing programs, events, or ways to collaborate/support, contact us directly via the details above or visit our office in the camp. Information can evolve quickly in such dynamic community settings.
REFUGEE YOUTH FOR SELF-ASSISTANCE, RYSA in acronym, is a Community Organization located in Dzaleka.
