We’ve traveled back to Southwestern Uganda, but this time we’re in Oruchinga, a small refugee settlement that’s been there for nearly six decades. It’s home to nearly 6,000 people that have fled from their homes in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi and Rwanda. They are finding ways to stay connected to home and find peace among their Ugandan neighbors and fellow refugees. So what better than an intercultural festival to do just that. Our team got a few megaphones and set to work spreading the word and inviting everyone to the event. The community came together to share song, dance and traditions that strengthen their ties to home. “We passed through war, but when we dance we forget what happened and sleep well,” says Mariam from Burundi. A crowd of nearly 400 gathered to see the performances - the Burundian drummers, the Rwandese marriage ceremony – each is a way to learn from each other and to hold on to something valuable after leaving everything else … [Read more...] about Welcome to Oruchinga
Archives for May 2017
A Way Forward
In Kismayo, Somalia, we met a remarkable woman. Her name is Sacdiyo, and she runs a center where she teaches young women in Kismayo to tailor and tie dye. Many of them are returned refugees, coming home after decades away. She knows the power of a useful skill and trade, and she’s sharing that power with her neighbors. ARC and Sacdiyo have worked together before – to build a training center called Wadajir – which means ‘togetherness.’ The women she trains offer services to the community - the demand for tailoring services is high. But Sacdiyo didn’t have enough equipment to keep up with the demand. So our team had an idea – let’s get them the tools they need to do their jobs. With a new sewing machine, Sacdyio and the women who work with her are able to produce more, earn more, and save more. They might even save enough to buy more machines, bring more women on. Sacdiyo is a woman who blazes her own trail. Who takes people with her and raises them up, too. It’s a … [Read more...] about A Way Forward