Imagine that you’re trying to give directions, get someone’s contact information, or remember a list of things you need to do – all without a pen or paper. It would be quite a challenge. But for refugee leaders living in Bidi Bidi, that’s how they do their work.
Refugee leaders are the eyes and ears of their communities. They help us stay close to people’s everyday experiences – what they need and how they’re doing. But without the right tools, their impact is limited.
“Can’t we just give them a notebook and pen?” asked Hildah, one of ARC’s volunteers in Bidi Bidi.
It’s a simple question, with a simple answer. So for Day 86, we’re doing just as Hildah suggests.
We gave out notebooks and pens to all the refugee leaders we work with, along with a moment of our deepest thanks for their leadership and generosity. They can use the notebooks to keep track of their contacts, to create handmade business cards to hand out, or just to jot down thoughts as they chat with people – whatever they find most useful.
“I didn’t know what I was going to do,” said one refugee leader. “The notebook I had was full.”
These gifts represent more than paper and ink – they’re blank slates, pages of unwritten opportunity. We believe in these leaders, in the incredible work that they’re doing. And sometimes, boosting their confidence is as straightforward as saying yes – we can help.
