For the last week, we’ve been asking our teams around the world what they would do to take better care of themselves and their teammates. How would they use $500 to take away some of the stress of the challenging circumstances they work in.
In Uganda, they wanted everyone to feel appreciated. Each team member in each settlement where ARC works. What better way to do that than with a party.
So, on Day 223 the teams organized a staff appreciation day in Bidi Bidi Refugee Settlement in the north, Kyangwali and Kyaka II settlements in the west, Nakivale and Oruchinga settlements in the south, and in the Kampala Office.
At each site, our staff got the afternoon off to share a meal together and relax. Lead staff shared the things they appreciated about their teams, and individual team members were encouraged to share their appreciation with one another.
“To be appreciated means someone is grateful for what we do each day,” said Sonia from the Nakivale team. “Today was a moment to relax in the company of everyone and reflect on the team and not just the work. A moment to be happy with ourselves and the work we do and the joy we create in other people’s lives. To feel valued and loved.”
The day was short, just an afternoon, really. But it was a moment to be grateful and celebrate one another. And the team felt re-invigorated. Aida, team member in Nakivale settlement, said “personally I pledged to work more to make someone in the community smile everyday!”
