"This community has been sidelined and forgotten," says Igor, our resident expert in all things water and sanitation. "They are one of the most in need. What inspires me is to do the doable for them, to do what we can, today." This is our second day working in Kyangwali Refugee Settlement, in a community that, as Igor said, has largely been left behind. They live in a remote part of the settlement, along steep and bumpy roads. Sometimes services just don't quite get there. One of the lacking services? Sanitation that works. "Normally the organizations running the settlement ask people to dig their own latrines," said Igor. "They give people the materials to build them on their own. But in this case, it's not coming." This community could build their own latrines with local materials, but just one problem - they don't have any tools. When they fled from Congo, it's not as if they came with shovels, wheelbarrows, or construction equipment. This was something we could … [Read more...] about In Their Hands
Campaigns
Welcome to Kyangwali
Igor is our water, sanitation, and hygiene specialist for all of ARC. He traveled to Kyangwali Refugee Settlement with a team ARC colleagues to answer one question - how might we help more everyday people in the settlement access and use clean, safe water? There's a quiet emergency happening in Kyangwali, with over 60,000 new refugees from Congo who have arrived in the past few months. Resources there are stretched. Igor and the team have long term plans to find a solution, and help these new arrivals get the services they deserve. But, in the meantime, they also have some doable ideas in mind...some quick, low-cost solutions that will have a big impact on families right away. Their first idea? Water filters. Igor and the team concentrated their efforts on one particular community in Kyangwali that was pretty remote - about an hour's drive from the entrance of the camp. "Sometimes they don't have any other option but to get water from the stream, which can lead to … [Read more...] about Welcome to Kyangwali
Night Lights
The kids in the deaf unit at Kajaho Primary School live in the nearby dorms most of the year. These dorms needed a little love. So we've set out to transform their space, one step at a time. First, we added a fresh coat of paint. Then, a way to make water collection a little easier. And now? Light. Imagine the darkness of night in a place like Oruchinga Refugee Settlement, where the students live. The electricity is unreliable, the closest big town is miles away. So when it gets dark, it's really dark. Now imagine that in the pitch black, you can't hear anything either. That can be a pretty terrifying prospect, and one that the kids at the deaf unit face every night. So we thought up a doable solution...solar-powered lights in the dormitories and teacher's quarters. "Light is the life of the deaf," said Lydia, one of their teachers. And she's so right. Now, these kids can read at night, play together, and simply feel a little safer before they go to sleep. … [Read more...] about Night Lights
When it Rains
We are on a mission to help transform the deaf unit at Kajaho Primary School. These kids are far away from home, living with their peers, giving their all towards staying in school and getting a top notch education. Their teacher Dorothy believes in their potential. And we do too. Yesterday we transformed their dormitory space from a drab, dusty room to one filled with brightness and color. Today, we're helping with a challenge they face every day - how to collect water. The kids of the deaf unit were used to gathering all their water during their recess time at school - they didn't have a water pump near their classroom or dormitory. This task was taking up all their playtime, plus they had to be very careful with how much they used at home. Our team had an idea - why not build a water drainage and collection system at their dormitory? That way they could save their playtime for what is was meant for - playing. We built a rainater collection system right at the … [Read more...] about When it Rains
Seeing in Color
In Oruchinga Refugee Settlement in Uganda, there are a group of students that we've really fallen in love with. Their energy is contagious, smiles vibrant, and resiliency sky high. The kids of the deaf unit at Kajaho Primary School face enormous challenges. Since they can't hear, this puts them at a severe disadvantage to the rest of their peers, who already deal with obstacles to staying in school. But for these kids, there simply aren't a lot of resources to get them the special support they need. Despite all that, their commitment to school is unwavering. The bonds between them strong. But their dormitory? It didn't match their brilliance. The kids of the deaf unit stay in dorms, as most of their families live too far away to commute every day. But the building was a little worse for wear. Our first step? Make it simply more beautiful. We added color - and patterns - to the walls of their dorm. We made it look fresh and new, a little bit of joy to come home to … [Read more...] about Seeing in Color
Taking Root
Our greenhouse project in Nakivale Refugee Settlement has really taken root. It began a few years ago as a passion project for one of our teammates, Wilson, and has now more than doubled in size, providing fruits, vegetables, and invaluable skills to vulnerable women. Now, there's a new head agronomist in town - Iyan. And he has dreams to take the greenhouses to the next level. We wanted to help him get there. And what better way than by helping to lay the foundations for a greater bounty to grow? We purchased seeds for all six greenhouses! Soon tomatoes, watermelon, papaya, and mango will be sprouting up, ready to be harvested. The greenhouse project helps women who are facing particularly difficult circumstances at home find their footing again. With newly learned gardening skills, added nutritional value from the fruits and vegetables grown, and products to sell at the market, these women have a chance at a brighter future. Iyan tells us that because of the … [Read more...] about Taking Root
Join Us in Song!
Yesterday, we spent some time with Mama Salome and her Asili Generation. Mama Salome's mission is to teach kids how to wash their hands, which requires some soap. But the most fun part of her lesson isn't the soap itself - it's the songs that go with it. Everyday, Mama Salome travels to a different community, teaching kids the importance of drinking clean water, washing their hands, and keeping clean. She uses songs to teach them the basics. And, she gives them a pamphlet to take home, which reminds them of the songs - and lessons - they learned. But since Salome travels to so many schools, and meets so many kids, she always running out of pamphlets. We wanted to do something to help. We printed a TON of new pamphlets for Mama Salome, enough to last her several months, seeing dozens of kids each day. This is special work for Mama Salome. But it's also special for the kids she serves. "The children get so excited about the pamphlets," said Mama Josee, Salome's … [Read more...] about Join Us in Song!
Clean Hands, Young Minds
Mama Salome has a dream. She dreams that one day, every child in Congo will know and value the power of clean water. And even more, that every child will have access to it. Salome is the Community Engagement Manager for Asili, our social enterprise in DRC. That's why she calls her dream the "Asili Generation" - she believes that Asili can be the vehicle to bring her vision to reality. Clean water is life-giving. But as Mama Salome knows, so are clean hands...especially for kids. To get the cleanest hands, clean water is important. But you also need to have soap. And thanks to some generous friends, we were able to get soap for 15 schools in the area where Mama Salome works - a supply to last a whole year! The impact that this soap will have is no small thing. It will ensure that for at least one year, these kids will have clean hands, helping ward off sickness. And more importantly, Mama Salome will continue to help them learn all the proper ways to use the soap, a … [Read more...] about Clean Hands, Young Minds
Mondi Mada
Abuyi’s story is quite amazing. Originally from Uganda, he was forced to flee the country at 18, heading toward South Sudan. He lived there for the next 28 years, working as a driver for humanitarian organizations. During the conflict in South Sudan a few years back, he was then forced to return back to Uganda, now as a refugee. Abuyi’s story is a difficult one. But his outlook on life is so inspiring. Everyday at his shoe repair stand, he puts out a sign that reads “Mondi Mada," which translates to “Be patient, your time will come.” “When I see this sign, it calms my heart," says Abuyi. "My children lost their mother in South Sudan and so now I am playing the role of a mother and a father. I know that my time will come, I just have to be patient.” Today was his day, because we had a surprise waiting for him! His shop was pretty small, and pretty bare bones. So we brought more sandals, shoes, and the materials to fix them. Abuyi was overcome by the … [Read more...] about Mondi Mada
Looking Sharp
Feeling and looking put together is not to be underestimated when it comes to boosting your confidence. So today our team had an idea for how to help make two groups in Bidi Bidi Refugee Settlement feel a little more official. They might not seem like they have much in common, but both our security guards and students could really use some help with their uniforms! “We are the first point of contact when you enter ARC Bidi Bidi," said one of the guards of the settlement. "We are proud to work for ARC and we want to represent ARC well." We got right to work on getting these security uniforms made for our team in town. At the same time, we put in an order for some girls school uniforms. Why? School uniforms can keep children from being able to attend school. Our team had the great to get some new uniforms made for girls, so that they can attend class in style. When both parties received their uniforms not only did they look amazing, they got to experience the joy … [Read more...] about Looking Sharp