Kandaakiat for women Empowerment is a wonderful women, refugees led organization we have been collaborating with since we started our work here in Uganda. They have many productive projects including liquid soap making, beaded bags and sawing. This week we taught some of the women and girls some jewelry beading techniques.
The I’m Still Alive campaign aims to encourage refugees in Uganda to be aware of their human rights and learn to demand them through advocacy and non-violent activism.
Uganda is one of the friendliest countries to refugees worldwide. Guaranteeing that refugees are aware of their human rights and are empowered to defend them, is the best way to ensure their future and wellbeing. Furthermore, it give Uganda the international name it deserves for its great efforts to welcome and protect refugees.
In these two first videos of the campaign, Kulihoshi Musikami Pecos of the Foundation People for Peace and Defense of Human Rights, is telling about his inspirational work making a real change in the lives of refugees in Uganda.
We are currently in the midst of what is commonly referred to as the world’s worst refugee crisis in history, with an estimated 68.5 million forcefully displaced people worldwide. We also find ourselves at the beginning of the worst environmental crisis in history, including the fastest rate of species extinction ever, climate change that puts billions of humans in danger, and air, water and soil pollution that puts us all at risk. The causes and effects of this environmental crisis are only increasing and are inseparable from social, political, and economic global trends. However, while these forces that are devastating the environment are far reaching around the planet, it is vulnerable populations who are the most adversely affected by them.
Big organizations, some focused on social issues, others on environmental issues, operate based on colonial and neoliberal thinking and are failing to provide effective solutions to global socio-environmental deterioration. Moreover, initiatives put forth by these large organizations themselves are often responsible for augmenting social conflicts and injustices.
Conversely, local, indigenous people, and activists are initiating and carrying out effective actions all over the world. True activism is based on the pillars of stewardship, social justice, inclusion, passion, and compassion towards nature and humanity. These activists’ work is mostly ignored, marginalized and even blocked by the dominant, large organizations.
The course is designed to be both an eye-opening and life-changing experience for the participants. The setting will be a refugee camp in Uganda. Here, participants will have a chance to view and experience first-hand the fate of the most vulnerable victims of the crisis situations in the world. Ideal candidates for this course would be social and environmental students and practitioners who are interested in very different perspectives and experiences.
The primary goal of the course is to facilitate in-depth discussion and sharing of experiences between an international group of teachers, local activists, and academics, regarding problems and dangers of current aid models, development and conservation trends and the alternates that exist. The outcome of this dialogue will be the establishment of a network of strong and determined activists that will drive change that is so crucial to our survival in the world.
This field course will take place in Kyaka II refugee camp, Uganda, where participants will have the chance to meet refugees from different African counties, providing an opportunity to understand their current situation and the challenges they face in their daily lives. The one week course is organized and sponsored by Turget Uganda, Aniye and PPDR Foundation.
Primary course topics include:
We are currently looking for partners in organizing this course. For more information please write to: aniyeuganda@gmail.com
We are working on a documentation project with the Angels Refugee Support Group Association. LGBTI refugees in Uganda suffer many different forms of discrimination. They are unable to find jobs or even to start the smallest micro initiative; no one would buy anything from them! They are also unable to get any support from their families and neighbours and are literally struggling to survive.
A series of short interviews gives them the opportunity to express themselves and talk about issues important to them. The interviews are recorded as visual video, audio recording or in writing, depends on each members willingness to be exposed. Participatory filming workshops are teaching members to use cameras and other equipment to deliver a story they choose and direct themselves. Pilot videos to participatory filming methods and interviews can be found in our YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgIBM07tdUX-TT3-lJ82k2A
A small group of Congolese women are being trained in making beads jewelry. Last week we learn how to make christmas tree earrings which they will try to sell in the local market before the holiday.
Read this interview with Pecos Kulihoshi Musikami, a courageous and effective activist, making a real change to the lives of refugees in Uganda. Pecos´ work is a great inspiration for us in Aniye and we are committed to support his important activities as much as we can.
Thank you to Elifelet for Refugee Kids NGO and to many friends who donated hundreds different games for our lovely children!
Aniye 