Rachel Dixon from My Charleston Dance found an energy that "would show Josephine Baker a thing or two."
Rachel, an international teacher, recently visited Dzaleka to lead a Charleston dance class. She was hosted by a resident named Fire (whose name "definitely mirrors his dancing skills").
Fire runs the Dzaleka Dojo, a refugee-led group offering yoga, karate, ballet, and acrobatics to support mental health.
Rachel was struck by the joy in the room—children dancing alongside elders—and the power of movement to bring people together. As Fire explained to her:
"In the same camp, refugees may live with the very people who caused violence in their home countries... When refugees meet together it builds a peaceful coexistence."
Rachel calls the visit the highlight of her teaching experience in Malawi.
Experience the Spirit of Dzaleka Yourself
You don't need to be a dance teacher to connect with this incredible community. Dzaleka welcomes international visitors who want to look beyond the headlines and experience the resilience, art, and "Warm Heart" of its residents firsthand.
Whether you are in Malawi for a safari or a business trip, a day in Dzaleka offers a profound connection you won't find in a guidebook.
Come meet the artists, the dancers, and the leaders like Fire.
Book Your Cultural Visit Today
*Read Rachel’s full story here: Charleston at Dzaleka Refugee Camp*
