Nutrition & Farming for Children in Nakivale Refugee Settlement

We have a chance to help provide ongoing nutrition for chronically malnourished refugee children in Nakivale Refugee Settlement in Uganda. In supporting this fundraiser, you contribute to the establishment of a poultry farm that will supply families a sustainable source of eggs, a nutrient-dense food. Having fled violence or been forcefully displaced, these children are now experiencing severe food shortages, with a ration of only $3 per month per person.

A Community-Based Organization called Oasis Organization, founded by young adult refugees, works hard to provide children with food, clothing, and other necessities like wheelchairs.

Thanks to all the generous support this fundraiser has already received, Oasis has been able to supply 350 children with food and clothing on Christmas, and provide a wheelchair to a child in need.

Please read below to learn more about Oasis Organization and the lives of children in Nakivale Refugee Settlement. This information is provided by Rhuderhekuguma Mongane Jules (Founder and Director of Oasis Organization in Nakivale) and Pascal Amisi (Volunteer with Oasis and former resident of Nakivale Refugee Settlement, recently granted resettlement in Atlanta, Georgia, USA).

The Life of Child Refugees: Fighting to Survive

Children are the most vulnerable in refugee camps. They have been taken away from their home countries due to war or other dangers, and have to start new lives in strange environments.

Most refugee children live with the trauma of having witnessed or suffered forced displacement, separation from loved ones, and physical and sexual violence. Even as refugees, many continue to be vulnerable to marginalization and violence, especially gender-based violence.

Many women give birth to low birth-weight babies, which predisposes children to malnutrition. Repeated childhood infections, including bouts with diarrhea, and low breastfeeding rates also lead to wasting and stunting. Families are too poor, or do not know how, to give their children a healthy diet, due to lack of food.

Refugee children in Uganda are particularly suffering. They suffer from malnutrition, cannot go to school and have no prospect of a better future. Many of them do not even reach their fifth birthday.

These children deal with feelings of loneliness, loss of social support networks, discrimination, being mistrusted due to their refugee status, and experiences of harassment from peers, adults, or law enforcement.

Albino Children

One group of children face an additional struggle: Those born with albinism face discrimination because of their appearance, and can be denied the chance to go to school, get a job, or have a family. Even when they do go to school, discrimination makes learning conditions difficult. Some families have even been encouraged to sell their children to escape poverty.

Children's Joy and Well-being

Children, by nature, want plenty of space, a variety of activities, and access to games and toys, but these things are not available in most refugee camps. Given the difficulty accessing basic necessities like food and clothing, toys are generally not available at all.

Oasis volunteers spend time with children, creatively coming up with activities, sharing the enjoyment of being together, and protecting the children's lives, their development, and their well-being.

Food Shortages, Other Challenges, and the Birth of Oasis Organization

For almost 8 years now, eating has become a daily dream in Nakivale Refugee Settlement in Uganda, following the reduction of monthly meals provided through the United Nations. Each person receives a ration of $3 per month. This inadequate amount leads to malnutrition for the whole family, with children at greatest risk. Mortality is very high - currently 21% at Nakivale Refugee Settlement.

Arriving here after fleeing war and persecution in their countries of origin does not mean the end of struggle. In addition to the trauma people have experienced, they now face overcrowding, lack of food and basic necessities, and shortages of jobs. Refugees often also need to learn new languages, and encounter cross-cultural communication challenges.

Oasis Organization was founded in February, 2019 by young people who experience all of these challenges themselves, and have chosen to dedicate themselves to helping their community:

1) We sat down with some young people and parents to see how we could be useful for the community. We trained some community members in agriculture, which helps fight against famine. Also, we have provided some families with fields for sowing.

2) We also helped youth get informed and use their own creativity. Some of our members have become useful to the community in their respective villages, providing necessities like soap, and founding other organizations, including Young Life Nakivale, Plethora Social Initiative, and the Mari Safi Foundation.

3) During the rainy season, we work on homes, to help protect people from malaria. This project has been supported by humanitarian aid volunteers (including Josh Baer, quoted below).

Oasis also strives to promote well-being through awareness of gender equality, youth rights, poverty, hunger, abuse and HIV/AIDs. They work to provide economic opportunity, help youth develop life skills, and host sporting events, drama activities, debates and trainings.

From Josh Baer, a humanitarian volunteer who visited Nakivale in 2021 (pictured in the photo gallery):

"I visited Nakivale refugee camp and met with founders and leaders of the Oasis Organization in 2021. When I’d heard of refugee camps, I’d always thought of tents, shelters close together, and people densely packed together. I was very surprised to see that the area in the camp was much like other areas of Uganda—small settlements scattered along roadsides, farms, schools, shops, restaurants, etc. The main difference is that the residents are not able to leave and seek better opportunities elsewhere until they are approved for resettlement (which can take many years). There are many needs among the refugees there, including not having enough food, difficulties with transportation to schools, and diseases including malaria. The Oasis Organization was founded by refugees in the camp to improve conditions and meet needs there. The leaders are mostly young people who have many needs and difficulties of their own, but made the choice to try and help others instead of focusing on their own needs. I was highly impressed with this group of individuals, who were incredibly generous and gracious to us as we visited. Oasis is doing good work to improve the quality of life for all the refugees, individuals and families, as they await the opportunity to start a new life elsewhere."

- Josh Baer, Humanitarian Volunteer, Utah, USA

A video about Oasis:

About the fundraiser organizer:

My name is Leilani Navar. I host Turning Season Podcast and work to uplift stories and raise support for people around the world who are part of the shift to a life-sustaining society. I connected with Nakivale Refugee Settlement and Oasis Organization through my involvement in Earth Regenerators, where I met Irenge Gloire Mudekuza, whom I interviewed on the podcast. He is involved with Oasis Organization and also teaches permaculture in Uganda through Plethora Social Initiative. Through Gloire, I met Jules, and now support his mission to bring nourishment, joy, and hope to these children.