The ARC team in Mugambwa Refugee Camp really love our community activists. And they had one last idea for them during our changemaking extravaganza...they wanted to get them all together for a meal to say thanks. All of the activists come over to our office to hang out and share a meal. The activists really thought this was a treat - they don't often get to spend down time together outside of their day to day work. We laughed and relaxed, enjoying each other's company. And most importantly, our team was able to show their appreciation and let the community activists know what an amazing job they do! These volunteers are something else. We are so proud to have them on our team! … [Read more...] about Time Together
Changemakers365
Boots Made for Walking
Yesterday, we thanked our activists with some umbrellas. Today, we're back at it again with something else well suited for the rainy season. Our team had a great idea...backpacks and boots! Backpacks are great because the volunteers travel long distances. Now, they'll be able to bring all their things right along with them. And since it's still the rainy season, boots will help our friends navigate the wet and muddy roads. Getting your feet wet is the worst feeling. We wanted to make sure our hardworking friend's feet stayed warm and dry! Tomorrow we’ve got last trick up our sleeve for our community activists...see you then! … [Read more...] about Boots Made for Walking
Staying Dry
Our community activists are amazing. In Mugambwa, they volunteer tirelessly to help us amplify our work in the camp. From making house calls to performing at gatherings, they stay really busy. Most of these volunteers travel around the refugee camp to do their work - rain or shine. And in the rainy season in Rwanda, it rains more than shines. We wanted to make their jobs easier...so we surprised them with a little gift Mary Poppins would have been proud of. Umbrellas! Now, when the activists are out and about they don’t have to worry about staying dry. When we brought out the umbrellas, it couldn’t have come at a better time. A full-on rain storm rolled in! Everyone laughed and was running around in the rain because they didn’t have to worry about staying dry anymore. Thank you to our community activists - and here’s to staying dry even in the rainy season! … [Read more...] about Staying Dry
Generating Change
In Mugombwa Refugee Camp in Rwanda, our team hosts a lot of events - from sports to video screenings, these gatherings unite communities and give people something fun to look forward to. But all the events have one thing in common...they need power. The team had an idea that would not allow them to power up whenever they need it - a generator. That way, our teams are mobile, carrying the power source wherever they need it. Their first event with the generator was a video screening about the importance of reducing domestic violence aimed at women. Before the showing, there was music and dancing to generate a ton of excitement and interest. And in the end, everyone learned something - and they had a good time doing it. With this idea, the generator becomes more than a tool - it's an engine for changemaking! … [Read more...] about Generating Change
Inside and Out
We've splashed the outside of our counseling space with a beautiful mural, but we wanted to bring some of that same feel inside the building, too. The idea? More art, of course! Two new paintings were created by our friend Willie, a local artist who sat with the community to learn what they wanted to communicate through art. The artwork had the same message as our mural from yesterday - the importance of reducing violence and empowering women. The new building is looking great! But more importantly, it's a little bit of joy for refugees who are on their road to recovery. . … [Read more...] about Inside and Out
Community Color
At the counseling center in Kigeme Refugee Camp, there was one last thing we wanted to do to make it feel more community-centered. Something that would bring people together to express the things that were most important to them. A mural! To make a mural that the community relates to, you need to meet with the community! So we called our community activists together and asked them about the messages that would be important to to everyone. They told us that they wanted the mural to be a message of power to women. “We want young women to see this and know they have a voice,” one activist said. We worked side by side with the group to design something that resonated with them, something that empowered women with color and art. In the end, the mural brought so much color. But it also brought up some new conversations - and ideas that will inspire as they walk by the art each day. … [Read more...] about Community Color
Safety is Key
Today we're back at Kigeme Refugee Camp in Rwanda to follow up on the counseling center we kicked off a few weeks ago! As you may remember, the center was a little worse for wear. But we're making the necessary changes to ensure those we serve are safe and secure. One of the things our counseling space was missing was a fence. A fence is important for safety - as well as privacy. Gardening is used as a therapeutic activity for some of the clients during their stay. Having a fence makes it all that easier to garden, keeping the produce from walking off. The fence was printed a vibrant red to go along with the new redesign! Now our clients can rest inside safe and sound - they can focus on healing and recovery. … [Read more...] about Safety is Key
Open Doors
For our last day with Mama Noume, she had one final idea. She and her fosters live in the same building as the workshop, but there weren't any doors separating work from home. Just something as simple as a door to separate the workshop and the living quarters goes a long way toward building in a little privacy. We got right to work installing doors throughout the house, sectioning off the main sewing room from her bedroom. We also installed another door in the front of the house and one in the back. These are strong metal barriers that will last - and are also much more safe. What a ride it's been with Mama Noume! She let us into her home, shared her ideas with us, and let us join in on her journey to making Nakivale a better place to be, for everyone. Thank you for all you do Mama Noume! You're a true changemaker. … [Read more...] about Open Doors
Feeling Fresh
Even a new coat of paint can bring a lot of joy. It can make a room feel totally different. Today, we're bringing a little of that joy to the inside and outside of Mama Noume's home. There is nothing wrong with a brown house - but we wanted Mama Noume’s house to feel totally new. Having a refreshed space can lift your spirits, and the young mothers she takes in could use that lift. We repainted the outside of the house and painted the entire interior. It wasn’t too flashy that it stuck out, but it just felt more buttoned up and clean. The interior walls used to be cracked and falling apart. Now they're flawless and beautiful, just as they deserve! Tomorrow is our last day of the renovation. Stop by to see the finishing touches! … [Read more...] about Feeling Fresh
More to Work With
One of the ways Mama Noume impresses us most is her business of selling sustainable sanitary pads. Today, we'll be working to make her business take off even more. Her idea? A supplies refresh. Mama Noume teaches sewing using the materials for the pads. They're are a great way for the girls to learn - not to mention a source of income once they're finished. With the expansion of the house and new sewing machines, Mama Noume can take in more students - but she won’t have more supplies. Because we're in the business of solving problems and not creating them, we wanted to help out with more materials! When the new students come, they won't put a stress on the existing supplies this mama has been able to collect. More materials means more pads and more pads equal more income! This is the kind of trend we like to see. … [Read more...] about More to Work With