Yesterday, Zu and the crew brought mango trees for the community of Rubondo. Today, we're thinking about how to nourish not just the body but the soul. The majority of this community is Muslim, so prayer is a big part of their daily lives. But in the local mosque, they didn't have enough mats to go around. People were kneeing on the hard ground. Zu had an idea - she wanted to make their daily prayers a little more comfortable. We surprised this community with brand new prayer mats! Enough for everyone. Now people will not only pray comfortably, but they'll take comfort knowing that this center of community life is fully equipped. And they'll be a daily reminder of their friendship with Zu - and that people from across the ocean care about their well-being. “This is what the Changemakers projects are all about," said Zu, "providing the support they need to bridge the gap created by the circumstances of living life in a refugee settlement.” … [Read more...] about Nourishing the Soul
Changemakers365
Meet Zu
Over the next month, we're in Uganda with our longtime friend Zu! Zu is no stranger to Uganda or refugees. Her parents are both refugees from Uganda who were resettled in the United States. She was born in the U.S., but has a special connection with her roots. She wanted to give back. Zu works at Sweatshop Health Club in Minneapolis, and together they accomplished an amazing feat - raising enough funds to send Zu to do the doable with us in Nakivale Refugee Settlement for one whole month! And today is day one. First, we met with the community of Rubondo, an isolated area of Nakivale. It's the furthest into the settlement, making it difficult to access to many things. During our meeting one of the neighbors brought up the idea of mango trees, and how they might add greenery, fruit, and opportunity to the community. So the next day we returned with 360 mango trees! And we were greeted with such excitement and kindness. “We appreciate you acting so fast," said one … [Read more...] about Meet Zu
Behind the Scenes
Yesterday, we talked about our new bathroom in the counseling center's wellness room. This couldn’t have come into being without a key part of every bathroom - new plumbing! New plumbing is not exciting, but if the plumbing isn’t functioning, it’s all you can focus on. And that's the last thing our client's need! For this bathroom, we built a whole new pit for the waste. This pit goes a long way down! It seemed to go on for miles as we watched the digging unfold. This pit will last for years and years to come, which is great news for all who use these facilities. Last but not least, we needed running water for the sinks and showers. The crew had to break down the wall first to connect all the plumbing. Then, we laid the pipes, and we had water flowing! Fresh plumbing and a new latrine pit were now complete. This new counseling space is beginning to really take shape! … [Read more...] about Behind the Scenes
Feeling at Home
In the wellness room at our new and improved counseling center, we'll have guests stay the night from time to time. There's a need for an important addition. A bathroom! We wanted ours to be top of the line for our guests! We installed a completely new bathroom complete with a shower, new towels, soaps, and shampoos. Our clients will now be able to take on the day feeling fresh and renewed! A good night’s sleep pairs perfectly with a nice shower. To create a space of healing, you need to look at the whole person. A clean and functional restroom is just as important as good counseling services. Healing takes time. Making sure that our clients feel at home and comfortable while they take that time is a doable way to cultivate much-needed peace. … [Read more...] about Feeling at Home
Keeping a Record
Documenting counseling sessions is so important. Good documentation keep us accountable to our patients and helps us track their progress. These files are as important as they are sensitive - so we have to make sure they're stored in a smart way. Our protection team was doing their best with what they had in Kigeme Refugee Settlement. But they knew they needed to step up their game. The answer? A separate filing room. The new filing room was built into the plans of our new counseling facility. It will keep the information of our clients safe. The room has a locked door and secure windows, so that no one can enter unless they have the key. This new room also keeps the documentation out of view of the clients - they won't feel like they're just another case. Keeping our client’s information safe keeps them safe. After all they've been through, it's our responsibility to do all we can to help them on the road to recovery. … [Read more...] about Keeping a Record
A Place to Heal
In our counseling center we have a wellness room - it's for clients needing a safe spot to stay for a while. They can find that place with us. This kind of space really needs to feel right - homey touches and some warmth go a long way. If you need this type of refuge, you're looking for a new start and a place to heal. To set our patients up for success, we had to change this wellness room into something that fosters comfort and security. We added a brand-new mattress, made a bed frame, and purchased sheets, curtains, and blankets for the room. We also included slippers and new clothing options. People suffering extreme trauma need and deserve the very best chance to help them get back on their feet. And with this new and improved space, we're starting that journey on the right foot. … [Read more...] about A Place to Heal
Open Doors
The waiting room is now ready and waiting (pun intended!) to receive people. Next up? The counseling room. This room is one of the most important in the whole office. “What we do here is to provide psycho-social support. We want the clients to feel comfortable as they sit with us and express their feelings,” said Chantel from the ARC team. To improve the counseling room we added new rugs, wall art, and most importantly, curtains. Curtains sound obvious, but unfortunately many counseling spaces in these settings don’t have them. Yet they’re so important to the privacy of our clients. We want them to peace of mind, to feel valuable, to feel safe and secure. The improved space helps our patients open up and begin to heal. We have a deep belief that everyone – no matter who or where they are – deserves a thoughtful and dignified place to find peace. With a better counseling room, we're one step closer. … [Read more...] about Open Doors
Improving the Wait
On Day 196 we stripped the interior of the counseling room clean. Now it’s time to build it back up! First, we had to install the walls. The walls will segment the building into six different rooms. The first doable room was the waiting room. When you come to receive counseling services, you might be a little nervous. This is where human touches become key. Our goal is to make clients feel at ease and at home while they wait…here’s how! We installed a TV to play informational material. While clients are waiting, they can learn and hear new ways to thinking. Comfortable chairs were installed and a rug was added to create a home-like feel. “This is a space where survivors feel comfortable and at home,” said Chantel from the ARC team. The waiting room, the first impression for our clients, was looking top notch! Now we’re turning to the most important space…the counseling rooms themselves. … [Read more...] about Improving the Wait
Extreme Makeover – Counseling Room Edition
In Kigeme, we provide counseling and protection services for refugees who have experienced trauma. Some of these individuals have gone through very challenging circumstances. And when anyone visits us, we want to be sure to provide the very best service we can. Our team was qualified for the task - but our counseling space was not. So we set out on a journey to improve this space! First thing first, we had to tear everything down...Walls, floors, paint, plumbing, and electricity. It all had to go. This tear down was just the beginning. Next, it’s time to build things back up. … [Read more...] about Extreme Makeover – Counseling Room Edition
Gathering Together
Our team in Rwanda hosts a lot of events. They can be video screenings, sports, or just simple announcements. Being part of community and visibility is so important. And our teammates found one doable way they could do even more...a tent. In the rainy season, the weather can really prevent others from coming to our porgrams. No one wants to sit in the rain to watch a game or hear a presentation, not to mention the risk of sickness from prolonged weather exposure. This was the perfect job for 365, a small change that can make such a big impact! With this tent, our teams can now have events any day of the year! They can ditch the umbrellas and feel confident that rain or shine, they'll be able to gather, grow, and share with the people they serve. … [Read more...] about Gathering Together