In a refugee settlement, there are always houses that could use a little upkeep. And, especially during emergencies, there are new houses to build. Luckily, there's a new crew of carpenters in town - and they're ready for the challenge. Nicholas, the leader of this group, told us that although he's an experienced carpenter, he didn't have any tools. And because of that, he couldn't work. Nicholas’s story was very similar to many of the men in the group. There were no carpentry tools to be found. We headed out on a quest for tools! The journey took us many towns over, but in the end, we finally tracked down a treasure trove of tools. We headed back to see Nicholas and friends with a surprise - tools as far as the eye can see! We were able to provide saws, levels, nails, hammers, sanders, and anything else a carpenter could dream of. Good luck to the carpentry crew of Bidi Bidi - we can’t wait to see what you build! This change made possible by Atomic Data. … [Read more...] about Hammer and Nails

A clean water point impacts everything around it. From the overall user experience to reducing the spread of diseases, its crucial for these water points to be clean. Enter Victor, our water point hero. Victor has been working in Bidi Bidi since it opened two years ago. He helps out at water points and with plumbing around the settlement - and he wanted to step up the hygienic game. Victor's dream? To use liquid soap to clean up water points all over the settlement. “When I clean the water points, I feel good,” he said. We thought this was a fantastic idea. So we stepped in to make his dream come true. With a brand-new supply of liquid soap, Victor was able to get right to work! He is a cleaning master - the first dirty water point didn’t stand a chance. Thank you Victor for looking after the safety of those who use the water points around Bidi Bidi. We couldn't do it without you! This change made possible by Atomic Data. … [Read more...] about Water Point Hero

Today is our last day at the Bidi Bidi maternity clinic, and they had one last very important request. Hand sanitizer. You're probably familiar with how clinics and hospitals you visit always have hand sanitizer available in dispensers on the wall, or before you go into a consult room. Pictured below is what they were previously using for hand washing before entering the clinic. But a small bucket that sometimes had soap to wash your hands wasn't cutting it. They needed something better, and something that could be accessed all around the clinic. So we got refillable hand sanitizer dispensers that can be used anywhere is most convenient. An easy solution to fight infection and keep things squeeky clean! This team knows all the things they need to best serve their patients. They just needed a little help in getting there. Now, the clinic staff is feeling confident - ready to care for every mom and child who walk through their doors. This change made possible by … [Read more...] about Squeeky Clean

Whenever someone has a baby, one of the first go-tos is measuring their height and weight. These measurements are so important. Without them, it can be difficult to track a baby’s health and know their progress. But the maternity clinic at Bidi Bidi wasn't equipped to get the measurements they needed. Bidi Bidi is way up in Northern Uganda, and it can feel pretty isolated. The types of tools the team was looking for can be hard to find. So we set out on a road trip, searching for the things they needed... A few hours and a little worse for wear, we found a scale and measuring stick! We returned triumphant. And the team was thrilled. "We needed this!" they said. There's no reason why new mothers and their babies should feel just as cared for and looked after as any mother, anywhere. These two simple tools will help to lift the clinic to the standards they so want to provide. This change made possible by Atomic Data. … [Read more...] about Measuring Up

The maternity clinic in Bidi Bidi is always looking out for the best interests of women in the settlement. But despite their efforts, sometimes they have a hard time getting the tools they need to support them in the way they'd like. That's where we come in. The team at the clinic really needed a stethoscope and thermometer. These are basic tools that every practitioner brings with them into a room - and they were feeling their absence. These mothers deserved more. It was easy to get the team the tools they needed to do their jobs. And they were so grateful to have them in their hands! “Every time someone gives something like this, they are making a difference just like giving the care themselves,” said nurse Jackie. The team wants nothing more than to make sure the pregnant moms they care for are safe and taken care of throughout their pregnancy. The stethoscope and thermometer go a long way in assuring both mom and nurses get the support they need. This … [Read more...] about Mother and Child

"Taking an expecting mom's blood pressure can save her life," says Jackie, one of the nurses at the Bidi Bidi maternity clinic. "We can determine the services she needs, and if she needs more support." Jackie clearly knows that blood pressure can say a lot about a pregnant mom's health - and, that there's a lot on the line. "If we need to escalate her level of care, we will," said Jackie. "But we need the right tools to evaluate each case." Jackie was pretty passionate about blood pressure. But the surprising thing? There were no blood pressure cuffs at the clinic! We got some blood pressure cuffs and equipment to two of the maternity clinics at Bidi Bidi. Now nurses like Jackie can accurately and safely do the assessments they need to do. It can be stressful for both the health team and the patients themselves when they feel unequipped. Now they can keep that stress under wraps, which is good for everybody's health. This change made possible by Atomic Data. … [Read more...] about Low Pressure

One of the biggest challenges at any clinic is keeping things clean. And at the maternity clinic in Bidi Bidi, this couldn't be more true. "Literally everything here needs to be clean for the mother's safety," said Jackie, one of the nurses there. But without certain tools, the maternity staff was having a hard time keeping up with the need. Jackie had some ideas for how to change that. "Firstly, we need surgical gloves and soap," she said. These two items are partners in crime when it comes to battling infection. Having gloves on hand is the number one protectant for mothers and their babies, and soap is the key ingredient for starting off medical care with a clean slate. The hard work at the clinic never stops. But with this small adjustment, the medical team can do their jobs confidently - and cleanly. This change made possible by Atomic Data. … [Read more...] about A Clean Slate

Bidi Bidi Refugee Settlement is a big place. So to reach as many women in need as possible, we’ve set up women’s support centers throughout the camp. But one of these centers had seen better days. Built right when the settlement first began, the structure had attracted too many termites for its own good. The poles keeping everything up are made of wood – a perfect meal for a hungry termite. The centers are meant to be a safe place for week to seek help. We wanted to make this one even safer. We purchased and installed 86 new poles for the center. And they aren’t just any old poles – these are treated, so the termites will leave them alone. With just a few quick fixes, the building was back to its former glory and its structural integrity! Dozens of women gather at this centers on a daily basis. Now, they can feel safe and sound knowing that the sheltering walls and roof are there to stay. This change made possible by Atomic Data. … [Read more...] about A Place to Gather

At the maternity clinic in Bidi Bidi, they have a power issue. The problem? Sometimes there isn’t any. Not having power at the clinic has many ramifications. But one of the biggest is that there simply isn't enough light. It goes without saying that without light, delivering a baby can be tricky. Sometimes the staff tries using flashlights, but that means sometimes holding the flashlight in their teeth as they multi-task to support mother and child. We thought there had to be a better way. How we can turn the lights back on? Solar power! We gave a few solar powered lamps to the clinic and personal headlamps to the nurses - this way, everyone has a personal light they can bring with them, on the ready for when the power goes on. No more balancing a flashlight in their teeth, no more searching around for batteries. And no more worrying about seeing their way through the dark. Imagine a mom delivering her baby, and not being able to see their face clearly for the … [Read more...] about Light When You Need It

Playtime is such an important part of growing up. It’s where our imaginations flourish, when we bond with friends. But playtime at Bidi Bidi can be pretty rough and tumble. Needless to say, clothes and shoes are a little worse for wear after a long day of play in the settlement. Kids grow like weeds – and the combination of quick growth and rowdy playing leads to a constant need for new clothes. For many parents, the supply can’t quite keep up with demand. So we found one spot at the camp that was made just for kids – a place where parents can take their children during the day, and where they feel safe being themselves – and brought a little surprise. New clothes for everybody! We gathered up enough clothes to give every child in this center a brand new outfit. The children held up their gifts, tenderly handling their spiffy t-shirts and pants. These parents will be able to rest a little easier, knowing that their littlest loved ones are dressed and … [Read more...] about New Threads