As a refugee, holding on to your most dearly held traditions reminds you of who you are. Reminds you of home, of family. For one Muslim community living in Nakivale Refugee Settlement, that tradition is coming together in prayer. "Prayer brings us together," said the community's Imam. "It helps us know one another." Right now, this community is doing what they can to keep the faith. But they don't have proper prayer mats, so instead they're using plastic sheeting to kneel on. "It's not ideal," said the Imam, "but it's what we've got." This was a problem we could solve. We got prayer mats for the mosque, enough for every member of the community to use when they come to pray. We had also heard requests for fruit trees, specifically mangoes. "Mango trees bear fruit. People can grab one and eat them on the move. It's nutritious. And as refugees, we can't afford to buy fruit at the market," said the Imam. So, we thought, why not solve two problems at once? Having … [Read more...] about Keeping the Faith

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. But sometimes, we could do a little something to help that beauty along. In Nakviale Refugee Settlement, there aren't a lot of places with bright, vibrant colors. Yet the few pinks, purples, blues, and greens that are splashed on homes or churches draw your eye. They add a little spark of joy in an otherwise brown and dusty landscape. Those little sparks are the inspiration behind today's idea - a colorful, encouraging mural right in the heart of the settlement. The mural's design and painting was led by Ben, one of Nakivale's resident artists. His brother taught him to paint, and now, he's teaching others. "Being an artist is my identity," he said. "I don't have a diploma or papers. This is who I am." His idea for the mural was to spread messages of love, peace, and the importance of education. "We can respect and empower young people through this art," he said. Together with a team of art enthusiasts, we set to work painting … [Read more...] about Art in Action

Being different can be tough, anywhere you are. But when you're living in an environment where resources are scarce, and communities are shaping and reshaping, being accepted and getting the things you need can feel impossible. Today, we're turning our attention to one group that faces discrimination - both inside and outside refugee camps. The albino community in Nakivale Refugee Settlement knows what it's like to be marginalized. But they also know what true friendship means - because they're surrounded by friends and a community that cares. And that includes us. Albino people in Nakivale have different needs than many refugees at the settlement. One of those needs? Sunscreen. Everybody should use sunscreen. But for albino people, not using it can lead to devastating burns that can become infected, and are very painful. For Day 329, we got everybody in the community their own bottle. But sunscreen isn't the most fun gift for kids...so we couldn't help but give out … [Read more...] about Feeling Protected

The community of Rubondo is pretty far off from the center of Nakivale Refugee Settlement. It can take over an hour by car to get there along roads that are rough on cars and motorcycles. That's why in a lot of ways, they have to be pretty independent. They have their own clinics, schools, even a separate ARC office. And, they have their own restaurants. Three women run those restaurants, serving up traditional Ugandan fare like matoke, chapati, rice, potatoes, kasava, beans, peas, and ground nuts. They can serve up to 200 people a day! But they weren't equipped to supply such a heavy rotation of restaurant goers...sometimes people have to sit in the grass. In an ideal world, these mamas would love to accommodate more guests - more guests means more supplies, better business, and stronger ways to support their families. This was a change within reach. With the help of our team, we got these business owners new chairs, tables, water jugs, towels, pots, pans, place … [Read more...] about Dishing Up Good Business

Boda Bodas are big business in Nakivale Refugee Settlement. They're motorcycle taxis, used to take people back and forth throughout the sweeping camp. Boda Boda drivers take a lot of pride in their motorcycles, keeping them clean and in mint condition. But the resources to do so are limited. That's why a few of them have banded together, forming a Boda Boda group that shares things like soap and cleaning supplies. Right now, they usually gather by one of the streams to clean their motorcycles, but the steam water is muddy. And they don't have boots or other protective gear to keep them clean. Our team saw the efforts of these budding entrepreneurs and knew that with the right boost, they could really build their business. Keeping their bikes clean is number one priority for these guys, so we wanted to set up a proper car washing station for them, with all the bells and whistles. Boots to protect their feet from dirty water, mechanic uniforms, cleaning supplies, and most … [Read more...] about Working at the Car Wash

The kids we've met in Kyangwali Refugee Settlement are pretty incredible. They're resilient. They're fun. They're filled with energy. But at the same time, life as a refugee kid can be tough. There aren't a lot of things to do, or many mentors to guide their way. Instead, they make their own fun, and make their way as best they can. But sometimes, it can feel pretty isolating. Today, we wanted to do something for these kids to show that we see them - that we're grateful for them. To thank them for simply being the silly, goofy, playful kids they are. And, to help them burn off some of that extra energy! Our teammate Andrew had the perfect idea. "Soccer is universal," he said. "It has no language. It's all about passing the ball, staying active. And it’s brings these children together. They don’t have a social gathering place. But they have a pitch. So if they have the equipment they’ll come together." Right now, these young people are playing with bundled pieces of … [Read more...] about Giving Thanks, Showing Gratitude

"This community, they are so hopeful." Andrew is one of our teammates based in Uganda. During a visit to Kyangwali Refugee Settlement, he was bowled over by the incredible hope shown by one community in particular. "So many of their neighbors have gone back to Congo," said Andrew. "So I asked one person why they've decided to stay, even though they have been forgotten. They said they still have hope that someone will remember them. They live in positivity." This community in Kyangwali is welcoming to everyone who might help to spark change, including the local police force. In Kyangwali, police officers live within each village, helping connect refugees to resources they need, acting as their voice, and their protector. "They are living with the police like one community," said Andrew. "You cannot differentiate the two." But the police didn't have their own designated shelter. They were sleeping in tents, and working out in the open. "These are very special … [Read more...] about Serve and Protect