Since its launch in 2016 at the Nakivale Refugee Settlement in Uganda, Kuja Kuja has seen successful implementation across numerous African locations. Recently, it has expanded its reach to Colombia, where humanitarian organizations use it to better understand and respond to the needs of the communities they serve.
Why does this matter? A woman in Arauca, Colombia, encapsulated the issue: “Humanitarian organizations do not ask us what we want or what is most important to us; they give us the help they think we need.” Kuja Kuja enables organizations to listen closely to their customers, allowing them to identify what’s working, what needs improvement, and what new initiatives could be introduced. Here are some recent examples of the impactful changes that have resulted.
Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA)
Working with ADRA, Kuja Kuja integrated feedback from nearly 17,000 people to improve health and WASH projects for Venezuelan migrants in Colombia. This partnership led to enhanced healthcare access, strengthened interorganizational collaboration, and improved community engagement. As a result of Kuja Kuja’s learnings, ADRA expanded services, improved medical documentation, and addressed extended needs such as food security and safety. Future initiatives include psychological services and nutritional interventions, ensuring a comprehensive approach to community wellbeing.
