People from all walks of life were on Saturday treated to a variety of music and food at Dzaleka Refugee Camp during this year’s Tumaini Festival.

The festival which has been running for four years now, promises to be one of Malawi’s biggest festivals as evidenced by the big patronage.

According to the Founder and Director of the Festival Menes Le Pume, it all started as a way of bringing fellow refugees together and enjoy but it turned out to be a successful way of making Dzaleka Refugee Camp known better.

Le Plume further said the festival has helped in changing people’s mind set over refugees since now they can be viewed as people who have the skills and capabilities to contribute further to the development of the host country.

“I mate people who never knew Dzaleka, Tumaini festival has made Dzaleka a very attractive place and it has also helped in boosting confidence of refugees as they can showcase their talents and skills,” Le plume explained.

Guest of honour at the event who is also Minister of Civic Education Grace Chiumia, said the festival is a step in bringing about peaceful co-existence and cultural exchange between the people living in the camp and outsiders.

“I have seen various artists from different parts of the world and this is a step towards the promotion of cultural exchange,” Chiumia said.

In her remarks UNHCR Country Representative Monique Ekoko, said the festival has helped in bringing out talents and skills from the refugee camp.

Different international acts shared the stage with local artist like Tay Grin, Hazel Mak, Enerst Ikwanga and Mbanaye Band.

The camp hosts refugees from countries such as Democratic republic of congo, Burundi, Ruwanda, and Somalia.