Not all of the groups committed to running in the World Refugee Day 5K were sports teams. Some wanted to show their talents in other ways. One group is Nakivale Movies, who uses their talents as movie producers to promote peace building. “We want to build peace through film,” says secretary Mushongole Muganuzi. Working together as a youth group since 2014, Nakivale Movies has already produced a number of educational films on subjects such as education, protection, and health & nutrition. They find value in teaching positive behavior and mobilizing in their local communities. And they’ve shown their documentaries locally in Nakivale settlement and as far away as Kampala. But to mobilize, the group needed more equipment to screen their movies. So on Day 185, we purchased a projector, screen, and hard drive to help. This equipment will allow Nakivale Movies to move around the different districts of Nakivale Settlement – which is more than 70 square miles in size – to show their … [Read more...] about And, ACTION!
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Leaving an Impression
In case you missed it, eight days ago we organized a first-of-its-kind World Refugee Day 5k in Nakivale Refugee Settlement in Uganda. More than 1200 people participated in celebration of refugees and with the ultimate goal to promote sporting and play opportunities for refugee youth in their community. Among our guests at the event were four members of the Refugee Olympic team that ran away with our hearts in Rio in 2016 - Pur Biel, Rose Nathike Lokonyen, Gai Nyang Tap and Kadar Omar Abdallah. In fact, Rose and Omar were the women’s and men’s winners of the 5k. Sports and play have obviously been an important part of these refugee athletes’ stories growing up. So, before they left Uganda they wanted a chance to connect with the next generation. Kajaho Primary School – where Ugandan and refugee students learn side-by-side – hosted the Olympians and a small contingent of supporters for an inspirational afternoon of singing, dancing, playing and presentations by the … [Read more...] about Leaving an Impression
Making Music
Dowrin is an English and Social Studies teacher at Kajaho Primary School in Oruchinga Refugee Settlement in Uganda. She's a musical person. When you walk around the school grounds, you always hear the most singing and clapping coming from the direction of Dowrin's classroom. But Dowrin wanted to take music at Kajaho to the next level, because she knows firsthand the amazing benefits music has helping her students build friendships and unlock their potential. So, on June 20, Dowrin and her fellow teachers ran in the World Refugee Day 5k in nearby Nakivale refugee settlement to raise money for musical instruments at Kajaho. "This is just what we needed," said Dowrin as we handed over a new xylophone, a set of traditional drums and an electronic keyboard complete with a solar battery. "These new instruments will help us get our students involved with music, and it will sharpen their minds." Dowrin is also a strong believer in music bringing people together. And that's … [Read more...] about Making Music
Finally Recognized
Coach Skye coaches three basketball teams in Nakivale Refugee Settlement - a men's team, women's team and a kids' team. One of the most difficult things he has to tell them is when they can't play in tournaments or games against other teams outside the settlement because they don't have the equipment needed. "You need to have matching jerseys and shorts," said Skye. "Or other teams don't want to play against you." Coach Skye and his men's team would like to eventually host teams on a completed basketball court in Nakivale. But until then they'll settle for just being allowed to compete. So, on June 20, the men's basketball team ran alongside other youth in the World Refugee Day 5k to raise money for matching jerseys and equipment. On Day 174, with their goal reached, we were able to deliver Coach Skye and his team some new basketballs and the matching white jerseys they'd been waiting for. They plan to play in their brand-new uniforms for the first time on June 30, when they … [Read more...] about Finally Recognized
Staying in Balance
The Nakivale Acrobats are one of the more unexpected groups you find in Nakivale Refugee Settlement - a group of young men walking on tight rope, tumbling, juggling and contorting to the Oohs and Ahhs of visitors and settlement residents alike. On June 20, the Acrobats were one of those 41 teams of Nakivale youth who turned out to run in the World Refugee Day 5k to raise money to make their dreams happen. Their dream? To have more professional materials and be able to teach youngsters the skills they know. And they'd even like to travel to Europe or the U.S. someday to show people what they can do. With the equipment they had that wouldn't be possible. They needed mats so beginners had a soft place to land. Their tightrope was a few segments of hardware store rope pieced together and strung between two trees. And they didn't have any of the juggling equipment that others who practice their craft have access to. But when they reached their goal we were able to deliver … [Read more...] about Staying in Balance
New Horizons
Since the day Asili launched in 2013, we’ve been learning – talking to the communities where we work, tracking our business model, adjusting as we grow. And now, we’re excited to announce that we’ve taken that knowledge and applied it to our newest venture – the launch of Zone 4! … [Read more...] about New Horizons
Open to Everyone
From the very beginning, Asili has been about getting world-class quality services to communities. We’ve followed through on that promise with water facilities and healthcare clinics that not only work, but offer never before seen quality. But now, we’ve focused our efforts on making sure that communities not only have access to our services, but that everyone in those communities can afford them. Introducing our third party payor system. … [Read more...] about Open to Everyone
Learning as We Grow
Part of running a world-class business means constantly iterating, testing, and adjusting how we do things. And now that Asili is going on its third year, we’ve learned enough about our existing businesses that we feel comfortable taking that next step – learning how Asili can be even better. … [Read more...] about Learning as We Grow
Welcome to Bidi Bidi Refugee Settlement
You may not have heard of Bidi Bidi. A few short months ago it didn't exist. It has very quickly become the second largest refugee camp in the world. This summer it was a huge, empty, arid patch of land nearby the small Ugandan border town of Yumbe. But today it is home to some 270,000 refugees, most of whom have fled the violence and upheaval in South Sudan. … [Read more...] about Welcome to Bidi Bidi Refugee Settlement
New Year, New Clinic
It’s a new year, and along with it a new beginning for Asili! Late last month, the doors to Asili’s third clinic in Mudaka were opened for business. Months of hard work paid off as Zone 3 became a reality! … [Read more...] about New Year, New Clinic