The Youth Center is a place where former refugees can get reconnected to the rhythms and ways of life back home. One of the activities at the Youth Center is a performing arts group, open to anyone who wants to get up on stage and perform. They practice lots of traditional Somali dances – but they were missing one key ingredient to pull the whole things together... Costumes! Colorful, vibrant cloth is a big part of what makes traditional Somali dancing traditional. So to go along with their big night out from Day 90, we got them some costumes to make them really shine. As the girls of the group jumped on stage, wrapped in their brand new red and orange outfits, their confidence levels were through the roof. And this was no small thing, considering just a few short months ago they were so unsure of what this new world would bring. “This is amazing to see,” said Zaila from the ARC team. “It makes me so happy to see them so confident, doing their thing. These costumes … [Read more...] about In the Spotlight

Being a teenager can be tough no matter what. But imagine having the rug pulled out from under you, right when you’re figuring out who you are, your identity and purpose. That’s what young returned refugees in Kismayo face as they embark on a new life in the city. At the Youth Center, ARC teams help make that transition just a little bit easier. With classes, vocational trainings, and simply a gathering place for new friends, the center helps to build up confidence and plant deep roots. Over the past year, we’ve learned that there are incredibly talented young people who just want a chance to shine. One of the ways we help them do that? A performance club. The members of the club perform all sorts of different things – comedy, dramas, singing, and traditional dancing. For Day 90, we wanted to do something special for these kids who are working so hard to hone their skills and get up on stage…one night at a fancy performance hall! “You would not recognize them just a … [Read more...] about Stage Presence

For former refugees coming back to Somalia, finding a trade – something that you’re really good at – can mean everything. ARC helps people find that niche, giving them the skills they need to establish a life and build themselves up. At the Youth Center in Kismayo, we teach new arrivals marketable skills, including plumbing and carpentry. We’ve recently had plumbers graduate from the plumbing program, so we wanted to do something to help their businesses boom. ARC teammate Zaila had an idea… “Since they graduated, they’ve been looking for more support, just simple things,” said Zaila. “tools that will help them do more work.” Today’s solution was simple. More tools for the plumbers! They’ll go to people like Salah, a former refugee who’s already established a successful business of his own in Kismayo. “ARC has given me new friends who are like brothers and sisters, skills and confidence, and a way to earn a living,” he said. Brand new tools are a way to show these … [Read more...] about Mr. Fix It

“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