I come from Africa, specifically from Uganda. I have heard and been part of the impoverished communities for a long time but had not imagined how hard it has hit some communities. It is such a challenge to adopt and comfortably fit in to this life’s realities especially in the refugee communities that I work amongst lately! It really troubles a big deal to be approached by a refugee in great need of help that you are not in position to render. It is one thing that you cannot do much but it is another tragedy when you cannot even speak the language and so this person thinks that you are a remorseless being walking the earth! This is hard to stand if you really value compassion and generosity like I do.
I chose to work in Kyangwali refugee settlement with an aim of learning and contributing more resourcefully to the marginalized and livelihood challenged communities especially in promoting access to better health. I felt that I had spent some time working at my desk in my former work place and reading lots of information about hard-hit communities and so it was time to experience all that “theoretical stuff.” Early that year, I had had a workshop in Kenya where I met some friends working in a refugee settlement in Sudan and on many occasions, we interacted about our experiences and I felt like I really needed an opportunity to work with refugee communities. I surely recall that afternoon that I opened my email to find that I was offered an opportunity by the Global Health Corps to work as a Health Officer at Action Africa Help in Kyangwali refugee settlement.
Much as it is difficult witnessing misery every day of the week, I feel that I am finding more reason for devoting my time for others. I feel more resourceful and challenged to improve my skills especially the critical analytical capabilities so as to have a deeper reaching contribution to such livelihood challenged communities. I have learnt to appreciate the role of creativity and innovation in approaching our day to day challenges. Sticking to doable, simple and adoptable approaches could address many community challenges deeper than we imagined only if we worked as a team and tapped in to the available local resources and talent that are possessed by the people that we serve.
