World Vision Staff Member Tokelal Guillaume: From Refugee to Defender of Dignity

When Tokelal Guillaume speaks about his work, his voice carries the weight of lived experience. Today, he serves as a Child Protection Officer for World Vision International in Chad’s Wadi Fira province. But more than two decades ago, Guillaume was not the one offering protection, he was the child in need of it.

“I grew up in a refugee camp after fleeing the war. I knew fear and uncertainty, but I also discovered solidarity through the humanitarian workers who stood by us. That’s when I promised myself: one day, I too would serve the most vulnerable children,” Guillaume recalls.” 

Protecting children, restoring dignity

Since 2023, Guillaume has been coordinating child protection activities in several camps. With his team, he supervises child-friendly spaces, trains community relays, and supports refugee families. Their mission is simple yet profound: to give traumatized children a safe place to heal, regain confidence, and return to school.

“Seeing a child who had lost hope smile again, pick up their notebooks and go back to school... it's a moment that touches me deeply. It reminds me why I'm here,” says Guillaume.

A life dedicated to service

Drawing on his personal experience, Guillaume works with humility and determination. He collaborates with international NGOs in the camps and local partners to ensure a coordinated response to the needs of refugees. For him, every meeting and every activity is an opportunity to build sustainable solutions and restore dignity to children and their families.

“I know what it means to be a refugee child.  That memory drives me to serve, to reach out, and to walk alongside children toward a future of trust and peace,” he says.