There are lots of dreamers in refugee camps – people who have big plans for their future. And in Bidi Bidi Refugee Settlement, some of these dreamers have one particular goal in mind – raising chickens. Suzan, one of ARC’s volunteers in Bidi Bidi, has been working with a group of women and men in the camp who want to create a chicken cooperative. “I want chickens because they will help me in some good ways,” explained Simon, the leader of the group. “I can sell eggs. I can eat the meat. I can sell the chickens.” Simon and his group have a lot of confidence in their vision. But, they also had one big problem – they didn’t have any chickens to kick start their dream. On Day 79, Suzan and the team set out to get them what they need. The team found some chicken feed in the closest nearby town and bussed it back to Bidi Bidi. They went house to house looking for chickens that people might sell. And when they returned, they found a surprise – the group was ready. They built a … [Read more...] about Dreaming Big
Changemakers365
More for Mamas
Mothers everywhere want the best for their children. And that's no different in Bidi Bidi Refugee Settlement, where we work to help mothers provide for their kids. But we also realize that this work starts before a child is even born. “When women are pregnant, both the mother and child are vulnerable,” says Lilian, a volunteer with ARC in Bidi Bidi. “They live in distant areas, far from the health center. Sometimes something can happen to her and she needs support.” That’s where Mama Kits come in. For Day 78, Lilian and her team wanted to provide Mama Kits for some of the most vulnerable women in Bidi Bidi – those who are close to giving birth in the far reaches of the settlement. Designed for pregnant women, these kits have everything they might need in case they deliver far from a clinic – a plastic tarp, soap, a sterile knife for cutting the umbilical chord, cotton and first aid materials, and some instructions in case a trained professional cannot be there. All … [Read more...] about More for Mamas
Creativity is Key
Having an outlet for self-expression is something that many of us take for granted. And at Bidi Bidi Refugee Settlement in Uganda, those opportunities come few and far between. Especially for kids. “When mothers come see me, they often bring their children,” says Doreen, one of ARC’s volunteers who works at our community help desks in Bidi Bidi. “But many times they don’t have much to do. They don’t have an outlet. So sometimes they just end up fighting.” So Doreen had an idea. What if we could provide a space for self-expression - for creative fun - right there at the help desks? That way, kids have the rare opportunity to express themselves through art and play, and moms have a chance to speak freely to Doreen – to tell her what they need. So today, we’re making Doreen’s idea happen – and bringing some kid-friendly creativity to Bidi Bidi. The ARC team gathered together musical instruments – tambourines, claves, and guiros – some kid-size chairs, a rug, brightly … [Read more...] about Creativity is Key
Facing a Challenge
There are so many challenges for women and girls in Bidi Bidi Refugee Settlement. And the reality for these women – and for millions of women around the world – is that monthly periods are one of those hurdles, another challenge they must struggle to manage. This is a big problem that our teams are working to solve. But for Day 76, we’re taking a small first step toward making this time just a little easier on women in Bidi Bidi – by getting them reusable sanitary pads. AFRIpads makes unique, cost-effective sanitary pads made of cloth, designed to last over one year of use. Knowing the huge impact that these pads could have on the people we serve, our team met with members of AFRIpads - and we teamed up to distribute 200 pads to the most vulnerable women in the community. Selena is one of those women. Injured while fleeing conflict in South Sudan, she not only didn’t have any sanitary pads of her own, she also didn’t have anything to wash the reusable cloth pads we … [Read more...] about Facing a Challenge
The Road to Wellness
Malaria is a real problem in Bidi Bidi Refugee Settlement. In fact, 25% of all patients who visit health clinics in Bidi Bidi are suffering from the illness. Dr. Arslan Malik is on ARC’s emergency response team. He knows that there are certain things that can go a long way in helping to prevent malaria, like using mosquito nets at night. But, he says, there’s a catch. “The people here are not really getting any mosquito nets. When I was talking with communities, this was something they really wanted.” When asked for his idea, Dr. Malik knew straight away what he would like to do – get the most vulnerable people in Bidi Bidi mosquito nets. Jeannette is one of the women who received a net. Although she’s on her own, her neighbors pitch in to take care of her. She doesn’t have much, but what she does have, she appreciates deeply. So when the team approached her with the gift of a mosquito net, she was all smiles. … [Read more...] about The Road to Wellness
How Sweet It Is
Kalisum is one of ARC’s volunteers in Bidi Bidi Refugee Settlement. And all day long, she works at a community help desk, talking with refugees – mainly women – about what they’ve gone through. About what they need. About how she can help. Sometimes, Kalisum can help these people right away, and sometimes she can’t. And when it takes a while to get the resources that someone might night, she feels badly. She doesn’t want them to leave empty handed – she wants them to know that she cares. So Kalisum had an idea. What if after a meeting with a mother, father, or family, she gave them a special treat to take home? Just a small gesture of goodwill and kindness? That, she thought, could make all the difference. So for Day 74, we’re getting Kalisum some candy. Candy is difficult to find in Bidi Bidi - so a sweet treat is a luxury. It can put a smile on someone’s face, which is especially meaningful for women who have been through so much heartache. Once the ARC team … [Read more...] about How Sweet It Is
Starting a Conversation
People living in Bidi Bidi Refugee Settlement have no place to access the internet. They can’t research anything, or find out more information – besides asking their friends and neighbors who have as little information as they do. There’s no easy way to find out who’s who, or who can help you with what you need. It’s easy to imagine how confusing and frustrating that is for a refugee. But in Bidi Bidi and across Uganda, the ARC team wants to be that guide for the refugee community – to start a conversation and keep the lines of communication open. We invite the sharing of ideas, of input from everyone. But without a way to recognize who we are, it can be difficult to start talking. So on Day 73, Festo – one of our volunteers in Bidi Bidi – had a simple idea. Get the volunteers bright, vibrant t-shirts that no one will be able to miss! “I didn’t think about why t-shirts would be so important at first,” said Brent, a 365 team member on the ground in Bidi Bidi. “But it’s all … [Read more...] about Starting a Conversation
Powered by People
At Bidi Bidi Refugee Settlement, much of our work is supported by an incredible group of volunteers. Every day, they get up before sunrise, making their way to the place where ARC’s vehicles will pick them up for the two-hour journey through the wide-open spaces of Bidi Bidi to their posts. “It’s passion,” says Vivien, one of our all-star volunteers. “When you see the vulnerability of these people, you see there’s a need and a way to help them. And since I’m here, why don’t I volunteer to help them?” When thinking of all the doable things we could do in Bidi Bidi, the ARC team knew for sure that they wanted to find a way to support volunteers like Vivien. Something to help them make it through the hot, dry desert of Bidi Bidi. Our answer? A portable field kit. We soon learned that the backpack alone made all the difference. “I’ve been carrying my papers in my hands simply every day,” said Doreen, another volunteer. “Sometimes I feel embarrassed. Yesterday it rained … [Read more...] about Powered by People
Where Kids Can Be Kids
Growing up in a refugee camp isn’t easy. During a time in life when kids are most vulnerable, most impressionable, they’re are often forced to deal with very adult situations. There’s not a lot of time or opportunity for kids to simply be kids. One of the things we do in Bidi Bidi Refugee Settlement is set up community help desks, where refugees can go to learn about services in the settlement, and victims of violence can also find a caring and trained ear to talk about what they’ve experienced – and find help. Most are women, and many of them bring their children. Seeing an opportunity, one ARC team member – Juma – had an idea. “If we could have a playground” he said, “it would surely help our work.” Why? Because it allows mothers to relax and more freely share their experiences. And, it gives kids a chance to play. So the ARC team went about finding a playground. And when the equipment arrived from Kampala, the work began - digging post holes and clearing ground for … [Read more...] about Where Kids Can Be Kids
Singing is Free
In Bidi Bidi Refugee Settlement in Uganda, ARC runs several volunteer-powered centers where people can come and be guided toward the resources they need. From counseling after a trauma, to helping someone cope with an abusive relationship, to figuring out how to get adequate food and shelter, these volunteers help families get back on their feet. And while all this is happening, there are almost always lots of kids nearby. “These kids love to hang around here,” said Vivien, a volunteer at one of the centers. “They are always laughing. Giggling, hopping.” Vivien had an idea - we should sing with these kids, spend some extra time with them, when they come with their parents to the center. So on Day 70, we’re bringing Vivien’s idea to life. We asked Vivien why she thought singing with kids would be a good idea. “You know from their country of origin, moving on a dusty road, reaching reception and sleeping alongside hundreds of people…when we receive them they need to feel … [Read more...] about Singing is Free