As part of my LEAD fellowship, I am working on a project in Kiryandongo Refugee settlement with UNICEF and Washington University. Using PhotoVoice methodology, we are exploring the social support provided by well-established Women’s Collectives in several countries, including Uganda. We are partnered with a local NGO, TPO Uganda, that works to strengthen protection, psychosocial and mental health across the wider region.
Following the ICHAD Forum, I returned to Kampala to meet the central TPO Uganda team. From there we drove to the settlement, purchased the necessary materials, and went over the action plan and the training that the TPO team would like (in addition to the training for the project). As we were keen to get started straight away, my co-facilitators took me to introduce the project (and the Mzungu) to local elders, leaders and then to the women in the collective. Outside, under a beautiful tree, in the yard of one of the women, I got a chance to introduce myself and thank the collective for sharing their time with us. We had a very active afternoon – dancing, singing, and laughing at the escapades of the free-ranging chickens. In between these activities, the women shared updates, stories, and the agenda for the day. We’ve met for several sessions now and it has been an honor to learn about their remarkable lives. They formed six years ago, after coming to Kiryandongo at different points as refugees from surrounding nations. They speak multiple languages and translate amongst themselves during meetings.
I am renting a room that is a short walk to the local TPO office, and short drive to the camp, which minimises transportation requirements. As I can easily get to the office, I am able to spend a lot of time with – and learning from – the TPO team. It also means that I can quickly grab a coffee on my way in!
It has been an exciting and wonderfully busy first ten days, and I am definitely looking forward to the next couple of months!