Highlights from Key events that happened during the month of October 2016 at InterAid Uganda.Get updated and informed about events at InterAid .

1. InterAid News
1st
October to 23rd
2016 Seventh Issue
From the Editor
This marks the seventh issue since we started
running this news bulletin and I am more than
greatful for the support towards this initiative
ensuring this is a success. I cannot emphasise
enough that the year is ending and it means many
things including the need to send in all the major
stories for the year to be published in the Annual
report and Annual newsletter for the benefit of
our external partners who may in one way or the
other have missed out on the updates that have
been running on our different media forums. I also
congratulate the team for making 1,500 followers
on Facebook and still growing, let us continue
working together to share the InterAid dream
Katasi-Communications and Advocacy Officer
CHILDREN DISCUSS THEIR RIHTS WITH POLIY MAKERS
Rarely do children and adults meet and discuss pertinent issues regarding their human rights
with the same voice and this was made possible during the Children’s Conference organised
by InterAid Uganda that brought together Refugee children of all ages ranging between 5
and 20 years of Age. The one day conference, which was held at Pope Paul hotel in Mengo,
Started at 8:00am with speeches from the Older children who shared their experiences as
Refugee children and how their rights have been
violated in a way or the way. A testimony from a
young lady who is currently a Makeup Artist for
celebrities and Models moved many other children
to start up sustainable income generating projects
with their skills and talents and not to give up on life
despite their status in society, she inspired them to
always use all opportunities to their advantage and not wait for parents or older people to
determine their fate when they can still start working for their future at their ages. The
conference attracted over 150 children both the Refugees and nationals and the
Commissioner for Children under Ministry of Gender was the guest of Honour.
TIME TO HARVEST AND REAP FROM HARDWORK AND SWEAT
The Kiryandongo settlement which is one of the
major refugee resettlement camps for Sudanese,
comprises of people with various needs and among
them are Persons Living with Disability (PWDs) and
it is interesting that PWDs have come off very
successful and self-sustaining due to the number of
activities they are engaged in such as farming.
Lilian, a Sudanese Refugee is one of the farmers ready to harvest her
maize,beans,groundnuts and other foods in this season after utilising the
opportunity from InterAid Uganda to plant different crops in the piece of land that
was allocated to her in the resettlement camp. She is evidence enough that disability
is not inability and she will be feeding many able bodied people who are able to use
their hands and legs with ease unlike for her, whose hands and legs are not in a
natural form making use of hands and legs very difficult but never the less able to
dig. 3rd December is the International Day for People Living with Disability
MORNING ADDRESS IN HIGH GEAR AS NUMBERS INCREASE
Every Monday all through Thursday from 8:00am to
5:00pm gates are open to Refugees across the world to
seek immediate support in terms of health, education,
livelihood, food security, legal aid among other basic
requirements for all human beings. The services
provided at InterAid are free to all Refugees and other
persons of concern. Every morning staff of InterAid
meet with the clients seeking support and information
ranging from the laws governing Uganda as a host countrie, to available
opportunities and important areas of contact in case they need a particular
service. The morning Address helps Refugees understand the country and how
to continue living in harmony in the country of Refuge. Each day different
nationalities are expected including youth, children and the elderly who are
given contacts to make appointment and rescheduled according to their needs.
UGANDA REFUGEES ON INTERNATIONAL PLATFORM
During the first week of October,
Uganda is known for the famous
International Trade show at the Uganda
Manufacturers Association and this
year, Refugees were not left out as
hundreds of them applied to be part of
the show to market their works.
InterAid paid space to enable the interested applicants market their
goods and leverage their products on the international market.
Items such as clothes, bricketts, African jewelry, food stuff among
others were displayed by the Refugees and demonstrations were
made on how the products work and the difference in their quality
and prices.” I have made over 100 clients, thanks for this
opportunity InterAid.” mentioned Sarah a brickett marker who was
among the selected participants this year
PLANNING FOR 2017 TAKES SHAPE IN KAMPALA
InterAid runs an annual budget
which informs projects of the year
in focus and given the fact that
2016 is coming to an end, plans for
the different projects for 2017
have already taken shape but can
only happen with consolidated
support. It is for this reason that a
meeting was organised among different implementing partners
and representatives of United Nations High Commissioner for
Refugees, community representatives and staff of InterAid to
plan for 2016 basing on the feedback received from the
communities regarding the different services they got this year.
Gearing up for 16 Days of Activism: Every year issues of Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) are highlighted internationally
given they are international human rights issues and this year InterAid Uganda is in high gear for advocacy of these issues. 16 days
starting from 25th November are set aside to create awareness of the SGBV around us. Refugees are not left out and survivors of
SGBV will be given platform to highlight the plight and how others can be saved from the vice of SGBV. InterAid is working closely
with the Ministry of Gender to enure that the 16 days are well utilised and advocacy impact is felt.