Volunteering
in Uganda

Kyaka II Refugee Camp is one of 13 camps established by the Government of Uganda to receive refugees and is home to 125,431 refugees. Most of the refugees come from the Democratic Republic of Congo (119 347), Burundi (3 601) and Rwanda (2 397). The refugees who are admitted are provided with a plot of land measuring 30 x 30 metres on which they can build a temporary dwelling (made of earth and wood) and cultivate the land for their own subsistence by the local authorities. The land provided to refugees is evenly distributed in the camp alongside the host communities. Upon arrival, UNHCR provides refugees with a basic set of NFIs (non-food items) to construct simple earthen shelters and a cell to cover the roof. Through the World Food Programme (WFP), refugees are provided with standard food rations or cash (640 UGX - approximately €0.15/person/day) to cover their basic food needs. Kyaka II refugee camp also provides basic infrastructure in terms of water (OXFAM), sanitation and health care. ADRA partner Uganda operates a health centre in a shared compound with the farm, which was built by ADRA Slovakia with SlovakAid's contribution in 2021 and 2022.

Although residents have access to land, they lack quality seeds, tools and other agricultural inputs, as well as basic farming skills. The food rations provided are not nutritionally balanced, and without access to quality food, malnutrition among children under 5 is widespread.

ADRA Slovakia in Kyaka II in cooperation with ADRA Uganda has been implementing activities to support sustainable agriculture and food self-sufficiency for refugees and the local population since August 2020. Since then, a project farm and a training centre have been built on the premises. Fifty beneficiaries have been directly trained in farming based on the TOT (Training of Trainers) model, in which participants act as TOTs (Trainers of Trainees) and form training groups of at least 10 members, impacting more than 500 families. In 2021 and 2022, this program was replicated 2 times, helping an additional 1100 families to food self-sufficiency. Several of them have set up farms individually or in groups and are growing for the local market in addition to their own livelihoods, making them financially self-sufficient. Both beneficiaries and local government officials appreciate the project because it reduces the refugees' dependence on food rations and external support. According to current information, food resources are also limited due to the war in Ukraine, from where in the past humanitarian organisations have imported food for refugee livelihoods.

Starting in 2022, ADRA is continuing training and engaging new groups of 50 smallholder farmers. The project farm is mainly used for seedling production and for demonstration purposes in the TOTs training. Other production is focused on staple crops, fruits and vegetables, which provide supplies to the hospital, which is in a shared compound and operated by the project's partner organization, ADRA Uganda. Both farm management and TOT training is conducted by the project agronomist and trainer. The role of project manager is taken over by the agronomist.

The agronomist and trainers are experts in local agriculture. However, they lack practical experience in reporting, project management, evaluation, documentation of activities, etc. Therefore, the support of an expert volunteer is a necessity and a great asset for the long-term sustainability of the project. His/her presence would enable the project staff to acquire project management skills that meet European standards (EU, SlovakAid). On the other hand, the volunteer will have the opportunity to gain a detailed insight into the reality of the refugee crisis and the lives of refugees, as well as the functioning of a large refugee camp. The volunteer can later capitalize on this experience in his/her global learning activities both during and after his/her assignment.