Working with locals to improve living conditions in refugee camps in Uganda

Hello, my name is Jimmy Kafma, the Assistant Officer of the Peace Winds Japan (PWJ) Yumbe Office in Uganda. Towards the end of March 2020, PWJ launched a new project in the Rhino Camp refugee settlement and Bidi Bidi refugee settlement in northern Uganda. In this article, I will introduce the shelter (housing) support provided by PWJ in the Rhino Camp refugee area.

Sun-dried bricks

PWJ works alongside the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the local government, and other NGOs to provide shelter and support to refugees. As part of our activities, we also work to provide refugees and host communities in the target area with opportunities for employment.

Many people in the area earn an income doing various jobs such as construction, carpentry, transportation of luggage, and even art.  Benjamin (18) came to Uganda from South Sudan in 2019 to find a safer environment to live in with his family. To earn a living, he started making bricks with his friends and family. His father, who is a carpenter, helped him get started by making him the formworks used to shape the bricks. Since he hadn’t had the chance to attend school in South Sudan, he told us he would like to graduate from elementary school in Uganda one day.

Bricks being dried. Benjamin is on the right.

Formwork used to create bricks

Benjamin creates sun-dried bricks  by digging out clay, mixing it with water, and letting it sit for 3 days. Then, he puts them into the formworks to adjust the shape and left to dry and set for around a week. Once done, he covers the brick in grass or stores it indoors until they can be sold. The bricks are sold individuals and organizations (including PWJ) and the money is used to buy clothes, shoes, study materials and other necessities for him and his family.

Benjamin’s father also works to build doors and windows of shelters as a carpenter. Many of his female friends and mothers also work to create and sell art. In this way, PWJ collaborates not only with the refugees but also with the local people to help them secure an income.

PWJ will continue to work with local people and groups like Benjamin in order to improve the living conditions for not only the South Sudanese refugees but also the local Ugandans in the area. Thank you for your continued support.

Kafuma Jimmy

Assistant Officer