Our staff in Kyaka is incredible. There’s just no way around it! Every day they tackle new challenges and never cease to amaze. With the new influx of Congolese refugees there has been more than enough work to go around for our counseling staff. They spend their days working tirelessly to meet the needs of others, and provide support to those who have suffered trauma. One of the things they told us is that they just didn’t have a place to all hang out together after work. The house had a room that was perfect for a gathering space - there just wasn’t anything in there. The solution? Some furniture! Chairs and tables for the staff to sit around and spend time together is so important! We hope that the new furniture will be the centerpiece for our hardworking staff to spend time and grow as a team. Today, we got the basics. Tomorrow, we're looking at making the space even better. Stay tuned! … [Read more...] about Full House

Everyone wants to live in a healthy and connected place. And our Community Activists in Kyaka make sure that the refugee settlement is just that - they look after the most vulnerable, they make sure people know about the resources available to them. And, they're advocates for all, at all times of day. When the activists are going about their work, sometimes it can get dark if the day goes longer than expected. They often have to travel in the dark. Since these giving individuals are doing so much to serve their communities, we wanted to make sure that they're safe doing it, that they can always make it home safely. So we picked up some surprise solar lamps that they can take with them wherever they go! These refugees are already a light to their communities. Now, their path will be a little brighter too. To all of our Community Activists, thank you for looking out for everyone in Kyaka! We're so thankful for your generosity, your service, and the abundance of hope … [Read more...] about As Bright as the Sun

At Kyaka Refugee Settlement, the youth center’s pool table is a beloved spot for friends to gather and play. But like anything well loved, over time it begins to break down. Looking at the pool table, we knew we had to give it some love... We surprised the youth center with a makeover for their table! New felt, brand new cue balls, cue sticks, and more. These small changes made a huge difference to how people feel while playing. Before, some of the cue balls were so chipped that they had craters in them. When it rolled the wrong way it could even change the direction of the ball - which is no fun at all! Immediately people nearby began smiling and walked up to play. You could feel the shift in energy and an overall excitement in the air. It may seem simple, but the pool table in Kyaka is an important part of the community. It brings people together, strengthens friendships, provides an escape to think about something else for a while. This quick little fix won't … [Read more...] about Right on Cue

In Kyaka Refugee Settlement there is a problem with deforestation. When so many refugees move into an area in a short period of time, stresses on the environment are bound to happen. So for Day 165 we're asking - how can we help rebuild the forest? While speaking with the commandant - one of the leaders of the camp - he told us about the need for Eucalyptus. "It's beneficial to the environment and easy to grow," he said. We wanted to plant Eucalyptus trees for both the refugees and the local Ugandan community, which live nearby. So, we thought, what better way to encourage new growth than at a school? The school we chose serves both the local population and refugees who live at the camp. We decided to bring a botanist with us - someone from the refugee community - to teach the girls of the school about the plants and how to plant them. All the students were encouraged to plant a tree as a symbol of friendship, environmental stewardship, and the impact they will make … [Read more...] about New Growth

Kyaka Refugee Settlement is home to many varieties of lush plant life. This plant friendly environment creates a lot of potential for farming livelihoods projects - but people need a boost to make them happen. Many refugees living in Kyaka already have a vast knowledge of farming, so we knew how we could help...Saplings! We learned that mango trees are an incredible way to make money in Kyaka. The environment suits the trees but there aren’t many of them, making them have a high value at the market! Our team in Kyaka knew some folks who we knew could benefit from a mango tree and its fruit, and we gave them the saplings! These trees will live on to produce both delicious fruit and a little profit. The trees will also help to stop deforestation, a problem at the settlement. How sweet it is to make some change! … [Read more...] about Mango A Go Go

Kyaka Refugee Settlement in Uganda has recently become a new home to many Congolese people, fleeing instability in DRC. Because of the influx, supplies at the reception center are at an all-time low. What they especially need as they first arrive is clothing. But clothes for kids is tough for a couple reasons - first, they keep growing! Kids are changing size all the time, and when resources are limited, pants become shorts overnight. The second is play. No child in history has cared more about their clothing being in good shape when a good time is on the line! This leads to ripped shirts and pants. For Day 163, we made a surprise visit to the reception center with bags full of new children’s clothes! Squeals of joy filled the air. As one little girl walked away, she tied her new sweatshirt around her waist. It was too hot to wear it in the middle of the day, but she just wanted to have it on anyway she could! Just think how you feel in a new outfit...it can make … [Read more...] about Feeling Fresh

Getting yourself settled into a refugee camp is no easy task. Most refugees arrive at a reception center with few belongings, and many people struggle to find ways to support themselves. While we were in Kyaka, we noticed that many of the refugees there were coming from Congo. They knew how to farm but couldn't put their skills to work - they just didn't have the right tools. Getting tools isn’t so hard...so for Day 162, we set out to do just that. We got tons of gardening tools, seeds, and watering cans, all to be delivered to the new arrival center. This way, as refugees arrive to Kyaka they will be greeted not only with open arms but a way to set themselves on the course of self-sufficiency! It's a small step, and there's a long road ahead. But by giving them the tools they need to build their best life, these new arrivals will start off on the right foot. … [Read more...] about The Sharpest Tool in the Shed

Our counseling space in Kyaka has now been painted inside and out! But we needed one last thing - better furniture to feel right, to keep with the beauty of the space. The room was filled with metal desks, old chairs, and was over-crowded. It was time for a face lift. We headed to the market with two goals in mind - make the space feel inviting and comforting, and to help even our smallest patients feel welcome. We found the perfect beautiful and comfortable wicker chairs with pillows, so patients can spend time in the room comfortably. Next, we got a TV, desk, and sound system for relaxing music and to play instructional videos. The basics were covered. But it was time to add in some hospitality features - a water cooler, tea, and coffee. To make kids feel at home, we picked up art supplies, games, toys, and a crib. This way mothers can focus on the counseling session and the children can focus on having fun! Our counseling room was now complete. Our team has all the … [Read more...] about Finishing Touches

Many people pass by the counseling space at Kyaka Refugee Settlement every day. The waiting area is made up of two huge walls with nothing on them - not exactly very inspiring. We thought of an opportunity - What if we could use those walls like two huge billboards, to spread positivity to the community? We asked our friends, the Revolution Artists, about their ideas to put on the wall...and then the work began! They had no shortage of thoughts for important messages that could benefit the community and those in the waiting area. Their images showed families speaking out against violence together, youth using their voice to make a difference, and the importance of equality and respect. We even added a little nod to the bee keeping projects and to our wonderful colleague Colleen, who loves bees and has pushed to reduce sexual abuse in the humanitarian field! It's something small, but an important reminder of the powerful impact positive messaging and art can have in … [Read more...] about Painting Positivity

In Kyaka Refugee Settlement in Uganda, ARC offers counseling services and a safe place to heal from trauma. Our counseling staff is top notch - but the space was not. After looking it over, we thought to ourselves, “this is nothing a few coats of paint couldn’t solve!” We called up our friends, Revolution Artists, and told them our situation. They are a perfect fit for the job because not only are they talented, they can make art with a message. Our goal was to repaint the counseling room and make it feel peaceful, warm, and like an escape from the outside world. Because we wanted it to feel familiar, one wall was painted with a mural of the beautiful Kyaka landscape. On the next wall, positive messages and depictions of a healthy community were drawn. As someone sits in the space waiting for the counselor to enter, they will already encounter positive messages. Lastly, many women bring children to the counseling session with them - so we painted the last wall with fun … [Read more...] about Healing through Beauty