Wavel Ramkalawan

Wavel Ramkalawan (born March 15, 1961) is a politician of the Seychelles.

Early life

Wavel Ramkalawan was born in Mahé, the principal island of Seychelles. He was born into a modest family, the youngest of three children. His father was a metalworker and his mother a teacher. Ramkalawan's primary and secondary education were at Seychelles College, the elite boy's school of the country. Ramkalawan was ordained priest in 1985 following theological studies at St Paul's Theological College in Mauritius, and thereafter followed further studies in theology at Birmingham University. Returning to Seychelles, he worked in several parishes in Seychelles, rising to become priest-in-charge of the parish of Holy Saviour.

Entry into politics

It was his work as a priest that led Ramkalawan to politics. Through his pastoral work, he came into contact with many people who had been the subject of repression and abuses of human and civil liberties by the government. At that time, the church was the only institution which could speak out on these issues.

Wavel

Wavel (Arabic: وافل‎) is a Palestinian refugee camp near the city of Baalbeck in Lebanon. It was originally a French army barrack, but in 1948 refugees from the 1948 Arab-Israeli war found shelter there. In 1952, UNRWA took over responsibility for providing services in the camp.

Wavel today

As of 2013, there are 8806 registered refugees in the camp. In 2009 there were approximately 3000 refugees within the camp and a similar number living outside the camp. There are also two UNRWA schools, including a secondary school and one health centre. Major issues affecting the camp are harsh living conditions, high school drop-out rate and limited empoyment opportunities

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Coordinates: 33°59′56.27″N 36°11′35.46″E / 33.9989639°N 36.1931833°E / 33.9989639; 36.1931833