For our last day of change in Kyaka, we wanted to give back to a great friend - OPM (the Office of the Prime Minister). Throughout our time in the refugee settlement, they helped connect us with people with lots of ideas for how to make their community a better place to be. While we met with OPM, we realized that they only had one couch for the refugees and staff members that they meet with on a daily basis. This couch had seen better days. OPM told us, “How can we best serve if we do not have a nice area to serve in?” We agree! So we headed to town to grab a new couch. We came back with two nice office quality couches fit for hours for comfortable meetings! Thank you to OPM for being everything you do with us and for refugees in Kyaka! … [Read more...] about Thanking a Friend

Each day at the Kyaka field office, refugees come to receive services. But because of high demand, sometimes the wait can be long - and boring. Many people bring their children with them. But as all parents know, it's easy for the long wait to become especially difficult for kids to handle. Our team in Kyaka came up with a solution... ...New comfortable benches, a children’s play area, and a centerpiece table with additional reading materials for adults! The benches were long and padded, not to mention they improved the overall look of the space. The children’s area had smaller, fun and brightly colored chairs. Plus art supplies so that the kids could be creative while they wait. Now the waiting room felt more like an experience than a chore! We watched to ditch that waiting-at-the-DMV feeling for a more calming and fun experience in Kyaka. And our goal was achieved! Now, refugees who receive our services will feel comfortable - and rest assured knowing … [Read more...] about A Comfy Wait

Baluku is a new friend in Kyaka Refugee Settlement. He's 10 years old and a big football fan - he and his friends spend a lot of time playing near the ARC field office. Throughout the week, we've noticed that his clothes were a little worse for wear. This whole week we've wondered - what can we do for Baluku? But then the answer was obvious. Changemakers 365 is all about doing the do able. Why should this be any different? We sat with Balaku for a while, getting to know him and getting a feel for what kind of clothes he might want. He told us that he was born in Kyaka. His family are Ugandan nationals who had to flee a conflict 9 years ago, before he was born. After learning a bit more about our new friend, we headed to the market to pick up some short and long sleeve shirts, new pants, and some flip flops for him. When Baluku saw the clothes his face lit right up! He looked through the bag of new digs, smiled, and strutted off. He walked away with a swagger that … [Read more...] about Meet Baluku

For the past few days we've improved the staff quarters for our team in Kyaka Refugee Settlement in Uganda. They work so hard - they deserve a quiet and comfortable place to recharge and be together at night. So far, we've tables, chairs, and a new TV for their break rea. What's next? A DSTV subscription and a dish! DSTV is a cable service. It will give access to tons of channels, but and most importantly, to football matches! Our staff in Kyaka is passionate about watching the matches - especially around World Cup Time! - and so we couldn’t be happier to offer this to them in the comfort of their own home. “Thank you so much for being here with us, your presence is felt very much here!” said our head counselor when the changes were complete. The team in Kyaka sacrifice a lot - seeing their families, being away from home - to do the work that they do. And we want them to know we appreciate them! Thank you so much to our Kyaka staff for impacting the lives of so … [Read more...] about Showing Appreciation

Yesterday we created a space for our staff to sit talk and catch up with one another. Chairs and tables make it possible for the team to hang out together after hours. But sometimes, there's not a whole lot to do. For today, we also wanted to find a way to provide a little entertainment. A way that the team could kick back and relax. We added a T.V.! With the new T.V., the team can watch movies and shows that they love. It's a great way to build community. And, in a relatively isolated place like Kyaka, it's a way to stay connected to the world. Some downtime and easy relaxation is always welcomed. Now after the day is done, our team can get out in the world refreshed and ready to take on any challenge. … [Read more...] about Rest and Relaxation

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