The ARC team in Mugambwa Refugee Camp really love our community activists. And they had one last idea for them during our changemaking extravaganza...they wanted to get them all together for a meal to say thanks. All of the activists come over to our office to hang out and share a meal. The activists really thought this was a treat - they don't often get to spend down time together outside of their day to day work. We laughed and relaxed, enjoying each other's company. And most importantly, our team was able to show their appreciation and let the community activists know what an amazing job they do! These volunteers are something else. We are so proud to have them on our team! … [Read more...] about Time Together
In Rwanda
Boots Made for Walking
Yesterday, we thanked our activists with some umbrellas. Today, we're back at it again with something else well suited for the rainy season. Our team had a great idea...backpacks and boots! Backpacks are great because the volunteers travel long distances. Now, they'll be able to bring all their things right along with them. And since it's still the rainy season, boots will help our friends navigate the wet and muddy roads. Getting your feet wet is the worst feeling. We wanted to make sure our hardworking friend's feet stayed warm and dry! Tomorrow we’ve got last trick up our sleeve for our community activists...see you then! … [Read more...] about Boots Made for Walking
Staying Dry
Our community activists are amazing. In Mugambwa, they volunteer tirelessly to help us amplify our work in the camp. From making house calls to performing at gatherings, they stay really busy. Most of these volunteers travel around the refugee camp to do their work - rain or shine. And in the rainy season in Rwanda, it rains more than shines. We wanted to make their jobs easier...so we surprised them with a little gift Mary Poppins would have been proud of. Umbrellas! Now, when the activists are out and about they don’t have to worry about staying dry. When we brought out the umbrellas, it couldn’t have come at a better time. A full-on rain storm rolled in! Everyone laughed and was running around in the rain because they didn’t have to worry about staying dry anymore. Thank you to our community activists - and here’s to staying dry even in the rainy season! … [Read more...] about Staying Dry
Generating Change
In Mugombwa Refugee Camp in Rwanda, our team hosts a lot of events - from sports to video screenings, these gatherings unite communities and give people something fun to look forward to. But all the events have one thing in common...they need power. The team had an idea that would not allow them to power up whenever they need it - a generator. That way, our teams are mobile, carrying the power source wherever they need it. Their first event with the generator was a video screening about the importance of reducing domestic violence aimed at women. Before the showing, there was music and dancing to generate a ton of excitement and interest. And in the end, everyone learned something - and they had a good time doing it. With this idea, the generator becomes more than a tool - it's an engine for changemaking! … [Read more...] about Generating Change
Inside and Out
We've splashed the outside of our counseling space with a beautiful mural, but we wanted to bring some of that same feel inside the building, too. The idea? More art, of course! Two new paintings were created by our friend Willie, a local artist who sat with the community to learn what they wanted to communicate through art. The artwork had the same message as our mural from yesterday - the importance of reducing violence and empowering women. The new building is looking great! But more importantly, it's a little bit of joy for refugees who are on their road to recovery. . … [Read more...] about Inside and Out
Community Color
At the counseling center in Kigeme Refugee Camp, there was one last thing we wanted to do to make it feel more community-centered. Something that would bring people together to express the things that were most important to them. A mural! To make a mural that the community relates to, you need to meet with the community! So we called our community activists together and asked them about the messages that would be important to to everyone. They told us that they wanted the mural to be a message of power to women. “We want young women to see this and know they have a voice,” one activist said. We worked side by side with the group to design something that resonated with them, something that empowered women with color and art. In the end, the mural brought so much color. But it also brought up some new conversations - and ideas that will inspire as they walk by the art each day. … [Read more...] about Community Color
Safety is Key
Today we're back at Kigeme Refugee Camp in Rwanda to follow up on the counseling center we kicked off a few weeks ago! As you may remember, the center was a little worse for wear. But we're making the necessary changes to ensure those we serve are safe and secure. One of the things our counseling space was missing was a fence. A fence is important for safety - as well as privacy. Gardening is used as a therapeutic activity for some of the clients during their stay. Having a fence makes it all that easier to garden, keeping the produce from walking off. The fence was printed a vibrant red to go along with the new redesign! Now our clients can rest inside safe and sound - they can focus on healing and recovery. … [Read more...] about Safety is Key
Behind the Scenes
Yesterday, we talked about our new bathroom in the counseling center's wellness room. This couldn’t have come into being without a key part of every bathroom - new plumbing! New plumbing is not exciting, but if the plumbing isn’t functioning, it’s all you can focus on. And that's the last thing our client's need! For this bathroom, we built a whole new pit for the waste. This pit goes a long way down! It seemed to go on for miles as we watched the digging unfold. This pit will last for years and years to come, which is great news for all who use these facilities. Last but not least, we needed running water for the sinks and showers. The crew had to break down the wall first to connect all the plumbing. Then, we laid the pipes, and we had water flowing! Fresh plumbing and a new latrine pit were now complete. This new counseling space is beginning to really take shape! … [Read more...] about Behind the Scenes
Feeling at Home
In the wellness room at our new and improved counseling center, we'll have guests stay the night from time to time. There's a need for an important addition. A bathroom! We wanted ours to be top of the line for our guests! We installed a completely new bathroom complete with a shower, new towels, soaps, and shampoos. Our clients will now be able to take on the day feeling fresh and renewed! A good night’s sleep pairs perfectly with a nice shower. To create a space of healing, you need to look at the whole person. A clean and functional restroom is just as important as good counseling services. Healing takes time. Making sure that our clients feel at home and comfortable while they take that time is a doable way to cultivate much-needed peace. … [Read more...] about Feeling at Home
Keeping a Record
Documenting counseling sessions is so important. Good documentation keep us accountable to our patients and helps us track their progress. These files are as important as they are sensitive - so we have to make sure they're stored in a smart way. Our protection team was doing their best with what they had in Kigeme Refugee Settlement. But they knew they needed to step up their game. The answer? A separate filing room. The new filing room was built into the plans of our new counseling facility. It will keep the information of our clients safe. The room has a locked door and secure windows, so that no one can enter unless they have the key. This new room also keeps the documentation out of view of the clients - they won't feel like they're just another case. Keeping our client’s information safe keeps them safe. After all they've been through, it's our responsibility to do all we can to help them on the road to recovery. … [Read more...] about Keeping a Record