For months now, volunteer guards at our community help desks in Bidi Bidi having been dedicating their time and energy to keeping our team and their refugee customers safe. They stand in the rain – and the subsequent mud. They stand guard in the dark. They keep their eyes out for creepy crawlers, like scorpions and ants, which can be difficult to see at night. They get help in emergencies. These guards are our first line of defense in case something goes wrong. And – they’re all volunteers. They saw a need and decided that they have the time to help. So for Day 88, we’re returning the favor. The ARC team put together a kit for the guards, with gum boots, a rain jacket, flashlight, and a cell phone for emergencies. The things they need to stay dry, see at night, and protect themselves against the things they don’t want crawling up their legs. “The gum boot is very important because there are very many scorpions here,” said Joseph, one of the volunteer guards. He’s … [Read more...] about A Light in the Dark

Bidi Bidi Refugee Settlement sprang up practically overnight. And along with it, many drastic changes to the countryside. When thousands of people arrived, bulldozers were called in to clear vegetation, trees were uprooted. Part of starting a new life means making the space around you come to life again, too. It means planting, revitalizing, and nurturing the earth. So for Day 87, we’re planting some trees. We started around our community center. Each new tree was dedicated to someone who works there – guards, cleaners, volunteers, and staff. The team chose mango trees to plant because of their wide reach and thick trunks – they’re good for food, and for the cool shade they provide. “Each person who cuts one tree should plant one hundred of them,” said Festo, an ARC volunteer. “The place was so bare, without any trees. But in a few years to come, you’ll find that we’ll be sitting here, enjoying the shade and the fruit of the mango trees.” One by one, these new … [Read more...] about A Fresh Start

Imagine that you’re trying to give directions, get someone’s contact information, or remember a list of things you need to do – all without a pen or paper. It would be quite a challenge. But for refugee leaders living in Bidi Bidi, that's how they do their work. Refugee leaders are the eyes and ears of their communities. They help us stay close to people’s everyday experiences - what they need and how they’re doing. But without the right tools, their impact is limited. “Can’t we just give them a notebook and pen?” asked Hildah, one of ARC’s volunteers in Bidi Bidi. It’s a simple question, with a simple answer. So for Day 86, we’re doing just as Hildah suggests. We gave out notebooks and pens to all the refugee leaders we work with, along with a moment of our deepest thanks for their leadership and generosity. They can use the notebooks to keep track of their contacts, to create handmade business cards to hand out, or just to jot down thoughts as they chat with … [Read more...] about With Pen and Paper

In Bidi Bidi Refugee Settlement, we run community centers – places where people can get together, hold meetings, connect with others. And behind the scenes, there are a few generous individuals who make sure everything runs smoothly. Who ensure that the space is welcoming and hospitable for all who gather there – our cleaners. These incredible women are volunteers – they’re not paid for their time. But they don't have proper cleaning tools, using instead what they can find – an old piece of foam mattress to clean the floor, a broom made of twigs to sweep. “The idea that they would volunteer to do this work,” said Brent, 365 team member in Bidi Bidi, “it’s really moving.” We couldn’t agree more. So for Day 85, we’re honoring these remarkable women. We’re equipping them with tools to do their jobs with dignity, with pride. Each cleaner received a mop, a squeegee broom, gum boots, and other cleaning supplies like soap. They no longer have to use torn clothes or old … [Read more...] about Cleaning with Care

There are a group of people at Bidi Bidi who have discovered their superpower – their unique contributions to the world, and what they can do to change it. They help to save lives each and every day. That group of people? Our volunteers. Each morning, ARC volunteers get up before sunrise. They’re driven by car out to the far reaches of the settlement where they work. And they stay there all day long - sometimes even until midnight - making sure that new arrivals are registered and people are getting what they need. They give their time freely and with joy, realizing that to change one person’s life is to change everything. Their contributions to ARC – and to the refugees living in Bidi Bidi – are immeasurable. And Paul, who manages these volunteers, takes every opportunity to thank them for what they do. So for Day 84, it was Paul’s idea to do something extra special to show our gratitude – throw them a party. As part of the festivities, Paul wanted to honor a volunteer … [Read more...] about Our Superheroes

“When we left South Sudan, we didn’t even think about baby clothes,” said a young couple living in Bidi Bidi Refugee Settlement. The proud parents of three month old twins, they ran from South Sudan before the twins were even born. And now, the babies don’t have enough clothes to cover up. “Babies here need clothes to protect them from the cold, dust, mosquitoes, and other threats of nature,” said Joseph, an ARC team member. He knows that the first few months of life can be precarious for infants in the settlement. It can be a troubling time for families. There are many babies in Bidi Bidi that don’t have enough clothes to keep warm on the surprisingly chilly nights. So for Day 83, we’re taking a small step to provide extra clothes to these little ones. We first approached women who had fled from South Sudan before giving birth. They were the most in need, using anything they could to cover their babies. “This is a gesture of love and care,” said Lillian, an ARC … [Read more...] about Babies Need Warmth

If you’ve ever started your own business, you know that it takes a lot of work. And time. And energy. And even your own capital. Now imagine that in an instant, all that was pulled out from under you - and you were forced to begin again in a new place. How would you get started? “In Sudan, we owned businesses,” said Dina, the leader of a group of women in Bidi Bidi Refugee Settlement. “But now? We own zero.” She’s brought together women who have the gift of using their hands to make beautiful things, like necklaces, clothes, bags, and more. But they were missing the materials to practice their handicrafts. Jamal – an ARC volunteer in Bidi Bidi – wanted to do something to help. So for Day 82 we sat down with them and came up with a list of things they needed. Things that will help them to start a new chapter in their lives. The women knew exactly what they wanted – beads, thread, scissors, and fabric. So we gathered the materials and went to meet the group. They were … [Read more...] about Starting a Business

A soccer match can be so much more than a game. It’s a way to unite. To connect on common ground. It’s a time to leave your worries behind. To have fun. Our volunteers in Bidi Bidi know the incredible power of sports to bring people together. And they had two particular groups in mind they thought could benefit from increased camaraderie – newly arrived refugees from South Sudan, and the Ugandans who are hosting them in their country. This can sometimes be a contentious relationship. But, said Festo, an ARC volunteer, “I want them to see each other as worthy players.” He knew this lesson could apply both on and off the field. So on Day 81, we held a match. The team gathered new soccer balls, water, snacks, and even some equipment for the referees. And then they were off. Flashes of red jerseys darted across the field, brows furrowed in concentration, and the crowd cheered as goals were blocked – and made. It was only one game. But in those 90 minutes, something … [Read more...] about Common Ground

Can you remember your favorite childhood book? The one you made your mom or dad read to you every night? For children around the world, the love of reading begins with a great book in their hands. There are no children's books in Bidi Bidi Refugee Settlement. Kids can’t instantly be transported into imaginary worlds, learn about people and places a continent away, or share a special moment with loved ones as they fall asleep. So, what needed to happen was pretty simple – let’s get these kids books! We filled backpacks with books, so that during house visits our volunteers could pass them out, creating a sort of traveling library. And when we sat down to read with kids, their eyes lit up - they crowded around. “What’s a dinosaur?” asked one child, reading a book about the ancient creatures. They had never heard of such a thing before. So our team got to explaining what exactly a dinosaur was. They were already learning. At one house, when the team got into … [Read more...] about An Open Book