Over the past 42 days, we’ve shared one impact every day – all costing less than $500 each to make happen. The projects have taken us from Nakivale and Bidi Bidi Refugee Settlements in Uganda, to rural villages in Democratic Republic of Congo. These changes, while seemingly small, have made a big difference in the lives of people we work with around the globe. And now, we’re jumping to Minnesota where ARC is headquartered. We're taking this opportunity to work with refugees in our own communities - to welcome, support, and get to know them in a way we don't always get the chance to do. To kick things off, on Day 43 we’re welcoming one of our own – Kay Thi from Thailand. Originally from Myanmar, Kay Thi worked for ARC for three years on ARC's Protection team, bravely giving her support to survivors of violence and working with the community to promote peace. She always dreamed of being resettled in the U.S., but that dream came true for her husband and her two year old daughter … [Read more...] about Welcome to Minnesota

The villages in eastern Congo where Asili has grown roots have done so much to welcome, support, and invest in Asili’s success. Community leaders in those villages have been friends of Asili since the beginning, making it possible for our businesses to thrive. They’re working side by side with us to change the narrative in eastern Congo from one of conflict and tragedy to a future filled with hope. Put simply – Asili would not be possible without them. So on Day 42, we decided to show our deep appreciation for everything these communities have done for us – we decided to throw a party. Just like Asili, this party was a representation of forces joined together – this time in celebration. Not only were we celebrating the communities who have done so much to help make Asili happen, local leadership honored us as well, thanking the team for investing in their towns. Country Director Abraham Leno – Asili’s leader – was honored by the King of Kabare, who is the traditional … [Read more...] about A Celebration

Mama Salome is Asili’s brand ambassador. She goes out into the communities where we work, each and every day, and she answers people’s questions about Asili. She talks to them about our world-class quality healthcare, clean water, and agricultural cooperatives. And perhaps most importantly, she listens. She hears so many stories, lending her empathetic ear and warm heart. Throughout Mama Salome’s day she may meet dozens of people – mothers, fathers, and kids. Along with her partner in this work, Mama Josée, she’s both the voice of Asili and the voice of the community. She lets the rest of the Asili team know what its customers are thinking and feeling. One day Mama Salome expressed interest in capturing these lives, these people. “I want to tell their stories,” she said. So the team decided to give her the right tools to do just that – they decided to get her a camera. Right away, Mama Salome got to work. She’s already capturing powerful stories of individuals and … [Read more...] about A Rising Star

The Asili team on the ground spend their days figuring out how to make world-class quality businesses work in eastern Congo. After decades of war and instability in their country, they are dedicated to building a brighter future. It might be surprising to learn that even the staff members of the Asili team who live in the city have difficulty getting clean water to drink. And each day when they travel to the villages where Asili’s services are located – sometimes an hour or more away – they often go without water. Or if they do have water, they’ll bring plastic water bottles that don’t convey their trust in Asili water to the community. So on Day 40, we decided to do one thing to ensure that the Asili team had fresh, clean water to drink – especially when they’re doing the work to keep Asili going. Get them some Asili water bottles. Now, every team member on the ground in Congo has an Asili water bottle that they can bring with them everywhere they go – and fill with … [Read more...] about In It Together

The market town of Mudaka is the location of Asili’s third clinic and water kiosk, where customers can purchase clean and delicious Asili water. There’s a primary school directly across the street from the kiosk, and when school lets out hundreds of kids come streaming through the school doors in their crisp white shirts blue bottoms, their backpacks filled with notebooks and lessons of the day. Before Asili, these kids had to walk miles to get water for their households. And, the water they got was nearly always contaminated and a real risk to their health and their future. These kids face a lot of challenges. But having access to clean, safe water to drink shouldn’t be one of them. So on Day 39, the Asili team decided that they could do one simple thing to help encourage these kids to stay in school – give them a free drink of water after class. Asili is a business. But although we normally offer water only for purchase, there are some circumstances where doing the … [Read more...] about A Cup of Water

We believe deeply in the power of Congo’s next generation to shift what’s possible for the country. To change things for the better. And, our hope for Asili is to spark that change. The question is – how can we encourage even more families to come to our clinics, to make clean water a priority? And how can we do more to invest in Congo’s kids, in promoting the importance of healthy practices for generations to come? So far, we’ve been encouraging Asili customers to come to us. But on Day 38, the Asili team decided – it was time to go to them. They quickly came up with an idea to test, and went straight to the community to try it out. The team developed a small pamphlet called a “shahidi,” meant for kids, which details reasons why drinking and using safe water is the best way to stay healthy. The shahidis also show the youngest Asili customers how to safely wash their hands. And, importantly, on the back is a coupon for Asili clinics, encouraging kids – and their families – to … [Read more...] about Asili’s Generation

Asili - ARC’s first social enterprise in Congo – was designed not only with Congolese communities in mind, but hand-in-hand with them. We sat down with mothers, kids, fathers, and entire communities, in their homes and in their villages. We asked what they needed, what was missing, and what might make the most impact on their lives. That’s how Asili was born. Delivering world-class quality services at prices that Congolese communities can afford, Asili represents a shift in what’s possible – for ARC and for Congo. The Asili team knows the importance of community pride – in keeping Asili businesses something that everyone can take joy in. So when construction began on the third and newest Asili clinic in Mudaka, a market town that sees thousands of people pass through each day, the team wanted a way for the people of Mudaka to really take ownership. To realize that the clinic is theirs, too. And one of the best ways to do that is to keep our doors open – and invite people … [Read more...] about Open Doors

Children in Congo face adult realities quickly. But despite all of the difficulties, kids adapt. They find ways to play. They make soccer balls out of discarded plastic bags. They make toys out of flat bike tires. They make wagons out of jerry cans. At the end of the day – and in the face of their circumstances - they still find ways to seek joy and silliness in unexpected ways. The Asili team sees these kids as the future of Congo – the next generation. And, they want to do everything they can to help them keep their spirits high. We believe that being able to laugh and play is just as important to their future as being able to access clean water. So the Asili team sat down and asked themselves – how can we make Asili clinics a place of gathering? A place where kids can come to socialize, have fun, even if they don’t need to see a doctor? One answer seemed clear. They decided to build a playground where kids – and curious adults – can come to be carefree. Where they … [Read more...] about A Place to Play

Today, we’ve left Bidi Bidi Refugee Settlement in Uganda and traveled south to the Democratic Republic of Congo! That’s where our very first social enterprise – Asili – is taking root. Asili takes business principles and applies them to some of the toughest problems in Congo. Problems like access to quality healthcare, clean water, and a fruitful livelihood. Asili offers world-class services, at prices that Congolese families can afford. Designed hand-in-hand with Congolese mothers and communities, patients have remarked on how - after decades of war - Asili stands out as a beacon of hope and of change. So what does world-class quality mean? At the Asili health clinics, it means always having medicines stocked in the pharmacy. It means warm, welcoming staff. It means an accurate diagnosis and follow-up. It means an environment where all are treated fairly, with respect and kindness. It also means thinking about the experience for all of your patients – including kids. … [Read more...] about Welcome to Asili

On our last day in Bidi Bidi Refugee Settlement – at least for the time being – one of our team members in the camp showed us what doing the doable is all about. Hildah works for ARC’s protection team in Bidi Bidi. She looks out for the most vulnerable refugees, offering them resources, counseling, and connection to services. And on Day 34, she found herself with a little extra food. The team had purchased sodas and snacks for the community during the maternity ward renovation. And with leftover supplies in the car, Hildah was out driving through the settlement. She came across a group of women walking down the road. “They were out cutting grass for their houses,” Hidlah explained. Right now, during the dry season, families harvest grass to thatch their roofs, which insulates the home in the extreme heat that can exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit. “I stopped the vehicle and talked to them. I asked how they were feeling and one started crying, saying, ‘We are moving long … [Read more...] about Rebuilding Together