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    Celebrations on International Women's Day

    DAY 65

    Keeping with Tradition

    Today is International Women’s Day! It’s an opportunity to celebrate women around the world, to unite around a shared purpose. And for women in in Bidi Bidi Refugee Settlement in Uganda, it’s a time to gather together and honor cultural traditions, even far away from home.

    Juma and Liliane – ARC volunteers – have been working with a women’s group in Bidi Bidi ever since they started volunteering. The group acts as a support system for each other, a safe space to be together, and a way to celebrate the diversity of their cultures.

    For International Women’s Day, the women wanted to prepare a performance of traditional dances. But, they were missing a few things. Rose – the leader of the group – spoke up. “Our tribes don’t dance without beads,” she said.

    So for Day 65, Juma and Liliane set out to get them the supplies they need to make these beautiful instruments.

    “They have a sound,” explained Rose. “Our dancing will look nice if we wear them. It will bring a shaking sound.”

    When the ARC team returned to Bidi Bidi with a boxful of glass beads found in Kampala, the women cheered. “We are happy now. The way we look, it will make us remember our families, our grandparents. It is the culture we are inheriting from our great, great grandparents.”

    See – and hear – the beads in action!

    We’re not done with these amazing women yet. Tomorrow, we’ll continue working to get this group the rest of what they’ll need to honor their families, their traditions, their homes.

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    Changemakers 365

    by Alight

    ABOUT

    The world’s tough problems can seem insurmountable. So at Alight, while we tackle those big problems we also do what’s doable. Right then. And that’s what Changemakers 365 is all about. Learn more!

    JOIN US

    Changemakers 365 members give either $30 per month or a one-time gift of $365 (it’s free for anyone who has ever lived in a refugee camp). Join us!

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