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
Archives for November 2017
Nyabiheke Youth
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