You are yet to find out how youth, who had no hope, have restored hope to many families and lives, how they are creating a positive livelihood and making an alternative in ensuring social and economic wellbeing.
My name is Isreal Katembo and I was born 1985. I was among thousands of refugees who were forced to leave the Democratic Republic of Congo for Uganda at teenage age in 1992. Up to date most refugees are fleeing violence emerging from ethnic-political conflicts between the government and different militia groups and foreign armed groups active largely in Kivu and parts of Ituri province.
When I reached Kyaka II refugee settlement in 1993, I could not smile because I have lost most of my friends in childhood during war in Beni, North Kivu. I witnessed deaths of other refugees and asylum seekers dying of hunger and diseases due to limited proper medical intervention.
Kyaka II is home for a diverse community including refugees and host community. The relationship has always been positive because refugees and host communities share natural resources like land, water, social services namely schools and health services. Yet, while attending school in the camp, classes were overcrowded with more than 200 pupils. Life was complicated without hope and clear vision for each child. And it was during this time, when I started realizing that the community members can play a role in their life, that we can change things.