Who doesn't love mom's cooking? When we chatted with Yemeni refugees in Mogadishu, they talked about how many moms are such fantastic cooks, but they had no formal way of sharing their skills with the younger generation. The ARC team in Mogadishu had an idea...combine forces with Yemeni moms, leveraging their superpower fishing skills to host a friendly fish cooking competition for youth! And host a party to taste the goods afterwards, of course. Refugee secondary students, plus half a dozen refugee kids attending Mogadishu Marine Academy, learned different ways to filet, cook, and prepare fish! "Today I have cooked fish in three different methods," says Khadija Yasir, a second-year high school student. "The activity made me realize that my ability in fish cooking is good – but I still need to practice more at home." This change made possible by the Margaret and Jennifer Kress Foundation, Inc. … [Read more...] about Generation to Generation
Campaigns
Slam Dunk
Since 2015, tens of thousands of Yemeni refugees have made a home in Mogadishu, Somalia, seeking refuge from the civil war. Many are school aged children with their families, hoping to pick up where their education left off. Our team works with these Yemeni students to place them successfully in Somali schools, and we offer after-school programs to help them build community and ease their transition to Somalia. Sports are such a unifying thing - no matter who you are or where you're from, love of the game brings everyone together. Playtime is important for both boys and girls. But some parents tend to encourage only their sons to play. So many of these kids love basketball. So, we thought, why not host a tournament, just for Yemeni girls? Playing basketball and staying active has so many benefits, especially for girls. It can be a boost in confidence and self-esteem, playing on a team and finding something that you're good at. It's a great way to socialize, to stay fit, and to … [Read more...] about Slam Dunk
Music to Their Ears
Lahore is an epicenter of music and arts in Pakistan! While visiting a classroom in the city, we learned that even though they were surrounded by music, none of these students had ever held a musical instrument in their hands! We wanted to change that ASAP. The first step? A music class, to get instruments into their hands and creativity flowing. As soon as we gave over the instruments to the waiting classroom, the kids were so curious to know how they worked. They came up and asked the instructors how each was used, and the sounds the instruments made were completely new to them. Some of the kids were hesitant to take the instruments out of their packaging - "they're too precious," they said. But very soon, the classroom was filled with sounds of kids tentatively testing them out, as the different instruments mixed together to create a music all its own. The music teachers taught the children a basic lesson on beat and rhythm, and led a few exercercises with … [Read more...] about Music to Their Ears
Fun and Games
While we've been in Pakistan, one of the things we've heard again and again from teachers is a request for something that you might not guess...more FUN activities to do with their kids! Of course, all teachers want their kids to enjoy learning. But with limited resources for teachers in Pakistan, we thought more "practical" things like calculators, pencils, or pens might be top of mind. Happily, these teachers know that there are so many tools that help kids learn, including games and art supplies - things that spark joy. We couldn't agree more. Listening to what the teachers were saying, we put together a "fun kit" for each of them - supplies and tools that the teachers can use to enhance their learning environment. Each kit has board games, card games, dice, stickers, multi-colored pens, ink stamps, and markers - all things these kids have never experienced. Keeping kids in school involves more than just the basics. To get them really engaged, learning should be … [Read more...] about Fun and Games
Page by Page
Books are a coveted possession for children in Pakistan – and also a rarity. Most kids don't have libraries or books in their classrooms. In a non-formal education classroom in Pakistan (a school that operates outside the formal education system, allowing kids the flexibility and knowledge to continue their studies), we wanted to make getting access to books just a little bit easier. And when we asked the kids who wanted to help set up their brand new library, all hands shot into the air! Together, we created a library and reading corner with books appropriate for all the kids in the class, ages 6 - 15. We made the reading corner comfortable and cozy, and set up a book check-out system so the kids can bring some of their favorites home for reading. Each child waited patiently for their turn to help set up the library. They handled the books with care, eagerly offering ideas for how to decorate and make it their own. Cinderella was one of their favorites - they … [Read more...] about Page by Page
You’re a Star!
In Pakistan, we're a team on a mission...To get one million out of school kids back in the classroom, and on with their education. This is a lofty goal. But we also know that even the biggest goals are reached one step at a time. Getting - and keeping - kids in the classrooms is about more than just the kids. It's also about families, teachers, and their classrooms, too. Teachers need the right resources and materials to get their kids the education they need to thrive, and to keep them coming back. One of the teachers we work with has so many students who love to draw. But they only have access to paper and pencils. She yearns for her students to be able to expand their creative expression through more colorful, art-sy ways. We had just the thing. We led an art class where kids could decorate their own star-shaped poster, outlining their hands in the star, adding their names, and adding flourishes with markers. Stickers, stencils, and art supplies abounded. Then, … [Read more...] about You’re a Star!
A Safari Near Home
We cleared out of Nyabiheke Refugee Camp yesterday – having done a lot of doable! But we had one more exciting change to make before we returned to the airport with all our friends from the U.S. Often people who live in the refugee camps in Rwanda don’t make their way out of the camps. They may spend a little time in nearby villages or towns, but for the most part they are living, learning, and working in the camps. That’s definitely true for the refugee kids in Nyabiheke. But we know that meeting new people and experiencing new things gives kids – everyone for that matter – the opportunity to broaden their minds and their approach to the world. So, since we were headed to Akagera National Park for a game drive on the way to the airport, we decided to bring a busload of kids from Nyabiheke along with us. Boys and girls from all different grades piled into the bus in the morning – chosen for their performance in school. They ate breakfast and headed out on a 2-hour … [Read more...] about A Safari Near Home
Going Green
With the trash in Nyabiheke Park all cleaned up, the water kiosk freshly painted, benches made and a pergola up – we needed to do just one more thing. Nyabiheke Park needed some greenery. And we wanted to make the park as green and lush as possible. We started with some climbers we planted at the base of the pergola – those will climb up and across the pergola, creating a natural shady spot for people to stop on their way by. We also planted a variety of trees, including palm trees to eventually bring some height and weight to the park. Next the shrubs went in. There are two main paths that criss-cross the park and are lined with brick. We planted tiny shrubs all along the pathway that will grow into an attractive hedge someday soon. But it’s not all about green. The park needed some color, too. So we chose marigolds and other flowers to plant throughout. It will take a bit for all the plants to grow up and fill in. “This spot will be an oasis for everyone in the … [Read more...] about Going Green
The Perfect Pergola
After we had refreshed the water point nearby our Nyabiheke park, it was time to get back to work on the park. The next step was to put up a structure that could create a little shade and make the spot a nice place to come, sit and take a moment. A pergola was perfect. But it was a community effort. Our staff engineer got involved to sketch a design and recruit a team of camp residents to help. First, we needed some substantial posts and some deep holes to sink them into. While a team dug out holes with machetes another prepared the posts and treated them to protect against rot and termites. Once we planted the posts and secured them with concrete, we had to give them a moment to dry and set. We finished things off with beams running both directions across the pergola supports. “This will be a special place,” said Jacques, our Partnerships Officer. “Once the plants grow up and across the pergola and people have a place to sit, this will be really special.” Speaking of … [Read more...] about The Perfect Pergola
On Point
There is a water point next to our new park in Nyabiheke that provides daily water to hundreds of people. The building was looking rough, and there’s no place for anyone to sit while they wait – often for quite awhile – to get water for drinking, cooking and bathing. “I would love if this could look like Asili,” said Victor, Nyabiheke Site Manager. Victor had recently been to visit ARC’s social enterprise in Congo called Asili. Asili water kiosks are bright white and staffed by helpful operators who ensure the water is safe and that no one has to wait very long for water. We knew we could at least help Victor freshen up the look of the water point, so we got to work. Our U.S. visitors got busy priming and painting the building alongside members of the community who turned out to help. It’s amazing what a little coat of paint can do. Meanwhile, we reached out to the camp carpenter/welder to build a bench for the water point. Once done, we’d position the bench so that the … [Read more...] about On Point