9 Ways Refugees Give!
It's a universal truth everyone, everywhere wants to give back to their community. To make it the best possible place it can be. So, it should come as no surprise then that refugees are the exact same way. They take care of each other, innovate and make change, and step up in times of crisis. These are just a few examples of how #RefugeesGive, all around the world.
9 Ways Refugees Give!
1
Foster Moms
When people arrive at a refugee camp after fleeing their homes, sometimes they come with family and sometimes on their own. And sometimes, children arrive alone. This is where foster moms come in. Endlessly generous people like Noume - a refugee herself - who opened her heart and home and made orphaned children a part of her family. It can be a huge sacrifice with already limited resources, but these moms give of their time and energy to change someone's life forever.
9 Ways Refugees Give!
2
Community Health Workers
Doctors and nurses can't be everywhere. In a refugee camp, Community Health Workers fill in the gaps. They're volunteers from the community who make sure their neighbors have the most up-to-date health resources and information. And referring them to higher levels of care when necessary. They're on the frontlines - sharing safety and prevention messages with their communities.
9 Ways Refugees Give!
3
Artists, Dancers, and Musicians
It might be surprising, but even in a place as seemingly scarce as a refugee camp art and creativity are abundant. Art can help communities express themselves, heal and unite. Take Opportunigee in Nakivale Refugee Settlement. These artists are creating beauty in even the most difficult places, infusing life and color and stunning art for people who might not otherwise have access to it.
9 Ways Refugees Give!
4
Investing in Youth
Once kids in the refugee community of Rubondo reached high school, they had to drop out. There was no high school. Until their parents and neighbors got together to make one. They started by clearing a spot and everyone in the community collecting large rocks to make the foundation. The momentum built and now kids in Rubondo have a high school...and a shot at a better future.
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5
Community Activists
Community Activists are volunteers from the community, trusted neighbors and friends. They are the people everyone knows, and they have a pulse on what people are thinking, feeling, and what they need. They share those insights with us and advocate for their community. They also make sure important information and messages get to everyone.
9 Ways Refugees Give!
6
Entrepreneurs and Business Owners
Refugee camps oftentimes have their own flourishing economies - with restaurants, barber shops, wedding dress shops, electronic stores... even nightclubs. Entrepreneurs and business owners help people regain a sense of normalcy again, recreating a home away from home...
people like Gaetan from Nyabiheke Refugee Camp in Rwanda. It was his dream to open up a computer lab with world-class IT training for young people. He was able to make his dream a reality, and now he's helping young people dream their own dreams.
9 Ways Refugees Give!
7
The Refugee Diaspora
Former refugees are often the best advocates for peacebuilding and giving back. Take David Acuouth, a former Lost Boy from Sudan who was also a U.S. Congressional Staffer. He's now dedicated to working with the Sudanese diaspora, building community with refugees living in the U.S. and beyond, and returning to Sudan to help those still there. "It was amazing to me that this experience that I had, when I was in a very dark place, can now help someone else get out of that dark place."
9 Ways Refugees Give!
8
Coaches, Mentors, and Teachers
Like young people anywhere, young people living in refugee camps need someone in their lives to lift them up. To help guide their way. Someone like Patrick. Patrick coaches kids in acrobatics, leading the Nakivale Acrobats. Together, they perform all sorts of incredible physical feats, including coordinated juggling, flips, jumps, and tight rope walking! They keep the energy up in the settlement while also providing a place where these talented youngsters can build confidence and thrive.
9 Ways Refugees Give!
9
Everyday People, Stepping Up When They Can
Regina Lauren is a policewoman in Kapoeta, southeastern South Sudan, where domestic and gender-based violence can be a big problem. Regina transformed her own home into a safe house for survivors, especially women and children. She provides food, shelter, and most importantly, safety. "As a policewoman, the community sometimes undervalues my job-they think that since I'm a woman that I won't advocate for the survivors," she says. "But I always stand firm.