After a few days constructing a kids space at the Nyabiheke health center, it’s time for the final touches. We spoke with a few mothers in the community to see what they would want in the space for their kids. Like all mothers, they want their kids to be safe and have opportunities to learn and grow. After hearing what they had to say, we knew just what to get. We added a soft, cushioned mat to protect kids from the hard floor. Reading and coloring books fill the shelves and a variety of toys let kids use their imaginations. The bright colors and soft animals create a simulating and comfortable environment. It’s more than a place to play and pass the time – it’s a safe space where kids can grow and parents can find some peace of mind. “I got somehow emotionally connected to this project,” says Jacques. “This makes me very happy to see such a space here in Nyabiheke.” What was once a bare plot of land is now transformed. All of these small, doable changes made a big impact and … [Read more...] about The Final Touches

Yesterday, we started building a safe space just for kids in the health center waiting area in Nyabiheke. We’re back to add some additional features that will make this space more permanent and beautiful. “There are no closing days for the health center - care is needed 365 days of the year!” says Victor, ARC’s Site Manager in Nyabiheke. “This space needs to be able to be used in all conditions.” That’s why we’re adding a simple roof so this space can be used rain or shine. We paid a visit to a local refugee contractor who lives in Nyabiheke and could help us get the materials we needed. A few pieces of lumber and sheets of corrugated iron later, we had a roof. Now, we’re ready to move on to the next step – painting! The newly constructed walls must first be prepped with a cement layer. Once dry, it’s time for the bright blue paint. “The color matters. It has to be something that’s fun for the kids,” says Jacques. We hope these small additions will make the space even better. … [Read more...] about Walls and Some Paint

After a few days doing the doable at the youth center in Nyabiheke refugee camp, we are going across camp to the busiest place - the health center. This health center is the sole health facility for over 14,000 refugees. “Each and every day, it is this team that ensures the facility is running,” explains Bernad, ARC’s Country Director in Rwanda. Our staff work tirelessly to provide the best care. They’re always thinking about their customers – mainly mothers and their young children - and how to make their experience at the health center even better. Their waiting area is always full and mothers sometimes wait with their kids for up to three hours before they are seen. So, the team posed an idea. “The wait can be long and the kids get restless, they need a space to play and be safe,” says Jacques, an ARC Rwanda team member. It would take time and some serious manpower, but with everyone pitching in - our construction team, members from the community and the health center staff – … [Read more...] about Kid-Friendly

Over the past few days, we’ve spent some time fixing up the Nyabiheke youth center. We’re back today because we know that a space is so much more than a building – it’s what’s inside. And right now, the space is nearly empty. They have some old, worn-out basketballs and soccer balls, a few dog-eared books and a prized TV for watching movies and soccer matches. For the hundreds of young men and women who use the space weekly, the few books and deflated basketballs are not enough to keep them engaged. “I go to the youth center at least five times a week, sometimes every day,” says Innocent. “We lack opportunities after secondary school. When we finish, there is no university course for us so many are spending their days here at the youth center.” With limited educational opportunities and job prospects, the youth center is where people continue their informal education in whatever ways they can. “Some can share the skills they learned before coming to Nyabiheke. There are many … [Read more...] about Youth Center Activities

Today, we’re back at the youth center in Nyabiheke Refugee Camp. Now that we’ve cleaned the space up a little bit, it’s time to add some color and energy. We partnered with our friends Kurema, Kureba, and Kwiga, to create a beautiful mural in the youth center. “We want to reflect the hopes and dreams of the youth who use this space. Some of them may look up to sports players or musicians,” says Victor, ARC’s Site Manager in Nyabiheke. The artists sat down with the youth to create a sketch for the murals – one inside and one outside. Then, we set to work getting paint, brushes, ladders and mixing containers. Youth from all over Nyabiheke gathered, working together to bring the youth center to life. Our friend Andrew, a Rwandan government representative, stopped by to see what was happening. “Now, it really looks like a youth center – from the inside out. It’s vibrant and full of so much activity. I’m even wishing I could make my office here,” he exclaimed. Just a few paint … [Read more...] about A Beautiful Mural

We’re hopping from Houston across the Atlantic to the rolling hills of northern Rwanda for the next few days. Nyabiheke Refugee Camp is home to over 14,000 refugees from neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo and many who live here have called it home for close to ten years, including the youth who sit on the camp’s youth committee. These youth have big dreams. They practice karate, study English, read about economics and play basketball. And, they even have a space meant for all these activities. “We are interested in so many activities and we use this space for those things,” explains Gitau, the president of the youth center. “These passions and studies can mean a lot to our future.” The youth center is a gathering, meeting and recreation space for all the youth living in Nyabiheke. But, it could use some upgrades. The lights have been burned out for months, the floors are dusty and littered with trash and metal scraps, several windows are broken and the doors stand … [Read more...] about Nyabiheke Youth