“We have young artists who are mentors. We have artists who love teaching. They have the power to change the art scene in the city, to inspire more kids who are interested in art.” Zaila from the ARC team has seen firsthand how important expressing yourself through art can be to young people in Kismayo. And not only that, how skills in art can lead to jobs that propel kids forward on their careers. “They recently got a job marketing solar lamps,” he said. “they were hired to design ads throughout the city and surrounding areas.” On Day 82, we helped bring that love of art to more kids at the Youth Center. And today, we’re taking the idea a step further, inspiring the next generation of new arrivals. The artists and teachers from the Youth Center wanted to do something to welcome families to a new neighborhood of former refugees, returning home after decades away. Their idea? A welcoming mural, that could both serve to make these families feel more at home, and let them … [Read more...] about A Colorful Welcome

It’s no secret that access to consistent sources of light can be life-changing. We’ve seen it firsthand in Nakivale Refugee Settlement in Uganda, and with youth in Somalia. Now, we’re bringing light to a brand new community in Somalia – one that needs help getting back on their feet. This new neighborhood is made up of former refugees, all coming back from outside the country. And our ARC team in Kismayo has worked hard to create a community specifically designed to meet their needs, providing a welcoming environment where they can restart their lives. For Day 87, we had an idea for a finishing touch – some lanterns! And these aren’t just any old lanterns. These are Watts of Love lanterns, made possible by the Shine on Project! They’re powered by the sun, so that families don’t have to rely on the power grid to keep their houses alight. “For many people, these lanterns will be a source of light in the house,” said Anab from the ARC team. “They can be used for things … [Read more...] about Lighting the Way

Were you ever the new kid at the start of a school year? Or do you remember the kids that were? You might remember that time being kind of awkward – making friends, adjusting to already established routines and ways of doing things. It can be tough. Now imagine that scenario but on a grand scale – thousands of former refugees returning back to Kismayo, Somalia, after decades away. In fact, most people under the age of 30 have never even been to Somalia before. With that many people coming to town, there are a lot of new kids on the block. In Kismayo, we help ease that integration process, especially for young people. And one of the best ways to do that? Sports, of course! “ARC has been doing big programs with integration,” said Zaila from the ARC team. “And sports – especially soccer – have really made an impact.” The Youth Center that Zaila helps to run has regular soccer games and tournaments for teens made up of both former refugees and longtime residents. It’s a way … [Read more...] about New Kids on the Block

Learning competitive computer skills is important for young people everywhere. Whether it’s programming, graphic design, or even the basics like word processing, laying IT foundations is key in our increasingly technology-driven world. That’s why at the Youth Center in Kismayo, teachers offer classes on a range of computer subjects – and their classes are highly attended. Designed for kids who have come back to Somalia as former refugees, they’re all eager to grow into professional – and successful – young adults. But sometimes, the teachers run into problems. “The computers we currently have are really limited,” said Zaila from the ARC team. “They can only do basic things like Word and Excel. We need at least one better computer that students can use to learn more complex skills.” That’s where we stepped in! For Day 85, we wanted to purchase one brand new computer that could do all the things they wanted – like graphic design programs, photo editing, and more. “We want … [Read more...] about A Super Computer

When young people come to the Youth Center in Kismayo, they often stay all day - taking classes, reading in the library, and getting to know each other. And if you know any teenagers, you know that they have unending appetites. But unlike most schools, the center doesn’t have an official cafeteria. Any meals at the center are prepared by a few people who offer their time , energy, and sometimes even tools from home to cook meals for the 150 students who visit each day. We thought they could use a little help. For Day 84, we got these young cooks brand new utensils and kitchen supplies – enough to make their work a little easier. “This will really help a lot,” said Zaila from the ARC team. “That we’re able to give this to them will mean so much. We’re saying that we see their work and want to support them how we can.” Now, the ravenous teenagers who visit the center can rest a little easier, knowing that the right cooking utensils are readily available. And, the … [Read more...] about Cooking up Confidence

The young people seeking support at Kismayo’s Youth Center are eager to learn. Having just returned back to Somalia after decades away, they want to jump start their lives. The Youth Center offers computer classes for these young folks. But, the computer lab can sometimes be a little uncomfortable. “During the hottest season, when the computers are all turned on, the place becomes like a small oven,” said Zaila, one of ARC’s team members. There are a lot of obstacles these kids have to face to stay in the classroom – being too hot shouldn’t be one of them. So for Day 83, we got two fans for the reception area and the library, and four for the computer lab, of course! Now kids can focus on their studies – on their future – without having to worry quite as much about the overbearing heat. “Having fans is so important,” said Zaila. “It will really make a big difference.” … [Read more...] about Cool, Calm, and Collected

There’s an abundance of talent to be found at the Youth Center in Kismayo. And there are some whose talent shows up on the canvas, in the most colorful of ways. Meet Salmaan, Abdinasir, and Shamso. They’re the founding members of Aqil Art Group, a collective of young artists in Kismayo. Their passion? Using art to encourage peace, heal wounds, and express their hope for Somalia’s future. They believe that anyone can use art to express themselves – including those who have no experience with a paint brush and a canvas. We couldn’t agree more. So we’re dedicating Day 82 to helping these talented artists share their passion with other young people, and with the world. “I love art because it’s something to be proud of,” said Salmaan. “Art is the connection between the mind, the heart, and the hand.” They taught the gathered students the basics of painting, and encouraged them to express their thoughts and feelings about being back in Somalia with colors, symbols, shapes, … [Read more...] about A Day for Artists

“Most people cannot afford electricity here,” said Zaila, as he showed us around the Youth Center in Kismayo he helps to manage. “Most people don’t have power in their home.” Zaila is a mentor at the Youth Center. He knows firsthand how lack of light can infringe on learning, opportunities, and even safety. “In the rainy season especially, it’s dark and cold,” he said. “It’s difficult to do almost anything in the evening.” So, we thought, let’s get these kids something we know can change lives – Watts of Love headlamps. Thanks to The Shine On Project, we were able to give 90 kids at the Youth Center brand new solar-powered headlamps. “They’ll use the headlamps for some many purposes,” said Zaila. “To read at night. To study and do homework. Even for security. They have outhouses which are sometimes far away from their bedrooms – now they’ll even be able to go outside at night and feel much safer.” Many of these kids are transitioning from being a refugee outside of … [Read more...] about Shining Bright

Maslah Mowlid is the gardening teacher at the Youth Center in Kismayo. He’s passionate about the environment and the importance of living in a beautiful place. And, he has a few ideas for how to transform the city he lives in. “When you plant trees,” he said, “It makes everything more calm, more attractive and beautiful.” He also knows that young people will play a big role in making sure that Kismayo is a city people are proud to call home – and building a healthy environment for all. For Day 80, we wanted to help Maslah teach the lessons he's so passionate about - starting with trees! We purchased mango trees, lemon trees, and aloe vera plants, enough to plant around the perimeter of the center. Then Maslah and his students got to work. As they planted, Maslah taught them about the properties of each tree, how to plant them, how to take care of them, and what to expect over time. “These boys and girls are mostly returnees,” he said. “They need to learn … [Read more...] about Taking Root

“This is the single most important change we can make!” Zaila is an ARC teammate who works at our Youth Center in Kismayo. And he has a lot of ideas for changes to make. But one change in particular is number one on his list. The change he’s referring to? It might surprise you. The Youth Center is a place where young people – many of them former refugees – come to find community and the resources to build a future. And in the year since the center’s opened, more and more young folks have sought support there. Every day, the center sees close to 150 kids. But there was one major problem. The center had only ONE bathroom! That means no separation for boys and girls. And with 150 kids, that was getting to be an unsustainable situation. For $500, we were able to build one additional brand new latrine at the center. “We are so excited,” said Zaila. “You cannot imagine the difference this will make. Now girls can use one, and the boys can use another. They can be … [Read more...] about Peace of Mind