ARC's specialty in Kyangwali settlement is providing protection or SGBV services (sexual and gender-based violence services). That can be anything from psychosocial support, counseling, support for husbands and wives who are having troubles. When mothers or couples come to ARC's office for support, they often must also bring their small children. And sitting through a counseling session can be boring for kids and distracting for their parents. So, on Day 261, we thought we could make things a little easier for everyone (and more fun for the little ones). We bought a huge load of toys so that kids of all ages can play while their parents get some help. We got toy cars, keyboards, blocks and dolls for the older kids to play with outside under a tree. For the smaller kids who won't separate from their mothers, we bought rattles and shakers that will at least keep them busy. "Parents will have more confidence to concentrate on services delivered because children are playing … [Read more...] about A Toy To Keep Busy
Archives for October 2017
A Soccer Tourney
There are loads of youth futbol teams in Kyangwali settlement - school teams, teams made up of kids who live in the same neighborhood, teams of kids who come from the same country. These teams are a great outlet for the kids, giving them something physical to do to keep a healthy mind and body. Most of the time, kids just get together and play around. Some more organized teams might run drills, too. But they don't get much opportunity to play against other teams, and most of the players have never played in a tournament. On Day 260, we decided to change all that and hold a settlement-wide futbol tournament. On the line were a new set of jerseys for the winning team (most of the teams don't have jerseys or appropriate futbol gear either). The teams played valiantly all day long - this rare opportunity to show off their skills for parents and the whole community. But in the end only one team could win. They took the jerseys home, but nobody left empty handed. Everyone who … [Read more...] about A Soccer Tourney
A New Home
When refugees flee they lose everything: their homes, their livelihoods, their dreams. No camp and no project can ever restore what has been lost. However we believe that by working with refugees and host communities, together, we can put into place the foundation for a thriving community – that refugees are able to call home. The built environment matters; it shapes the way that we experience and interpret our surroundings. Intentional design has the power to transform camps into neighborhoods, clinics from places of sickness to well-being, and despair into hope for a brighter future. With years of experience, we are experts in the design and construction of durable, cost-effective structures. We build housing, latrines, showers, and cooking areas to help restore a sense of home and stability to vulnerable communities. But we are also the first to admit that too often the urgent nature of crises have lead us to construct buildings that although technically adequate haven’t built … [Read more...] about A New Home