Sudan Family Fun Day

• Date & Time: Saturday (25/11/2023) – 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
• Location: Refugee & Hope International – Kansanga, Kampala, Uganda
• Total No. of Attendance: 270 Sudanese (130 women, 70 men, and 70 children)

Summary: 

The Sudanese Family Fun Day on November 25, 2023, witnessed significant achievements. The program successfully met 70% of its objectives, emphasizing awareness, entertainment, and community cohesion. Attendees, starting at 100 and reaching around 270 (26% are men, 48% women, and 26% children), gained insights into refugee rights and the work of organizations in Uganda. The event showcased diverse entertainment, including children’s activities and a musical performance by the Burundian band. A total of 18 small projects had the opportunity to exhibit their products and generate profits. The event provided a safe space for children to play and learn through various activities, such as football, basketball, handicrafts, face painting, and the distribution of toys and gifts. We also distributed around 400 pieces of donated clothes and 20 school bags to Sudanese refugees.

Organizers:

• Kele Global is a non-profit organization that works to provide safe spaces for learning and encourage a growth mindset environment for youth and children in underprivileged areas.
• SWPDA is a refugee woman-led association formed in 2015. SWPDA focuses on empowering women to be able to make their own informed decisions, raise awareness among women about their rights, refer women to other organizations for help, and conduct counseling to reduce the stress the women face in their daily lives.

Background: 

The Sudan Family Fun Day is a response to the profound impact of wars on Sudanese families and children who have sought refuge in Uganda. Displaced by conflict, these families have faced the challenges of displacement, loss, and adapting to a new environment. Recognizing the unique struggles of children coping with trauma and emotional challenges resulting from the Sudanese war, the event emphasizes the importance of play-based learning as a therapeutic approach to support their physical skills, emotional connectivity, and growth mindset.

Objectives: 

1. Social Cohesion: Strengthen community bonds among Sudanese families, fostering inclusivity and support.
2. Legal Awareness: Educate families on asylum, resettlement laws, and Ugandan regulations for smoother integration.
3. Cultural Integration: Provide cultural exposure and positive cross-cultural experiences for better adaptation.
4. Children’s Well-being: Implement play-based learning for children, promoting physical and emotional resilience.
5. Data Collection: Gather valuable insights through a questionnaire to understand challenges and needs.

Activities undertaken & their impact: 

1. Opening Session: Attendees, starting at around 100 and reaching approximately 250 by the end of the day, were informed about refugee rights in Uganda, gender-based violence, and organizations providing services to refugees.
2. Sudanese Bazaar: 18 small women’s projects have been supported by giving them a space to sell their products.
3. Diverse Entertainment: The event featured entertaining programs for children, Sudanese music, and a music band from Burundi, enhancing the overall experience.
4. Data Collection: we have successfully interviewed 70 Sudanese, which has given us some insights into the challenges faced by Sudanese refugees.
5. Children Corner: around 70 children (Alongside their parents) have been involved in a variety of play-based learning activities.

Children Corner Successes & Outputs:

• ACTIVITIES HANDLED: Beads work, Clay work (modeling), Football, Face painting, reading playing games, Donating of games and other material, Cultural dance.
• offered material such as bags, water bottles necklaces, and books, among others to kids to enable them to socialize and get to know each other.
• Donations were made to the kids
• Children participated in the set-up activities i.e. football, face painting, and reading games.
• There were interactions between the Sudanese refugees and even with Kele Global volunteers.
• The kids managed to make art paintings on the manila papers and also used the beads to make necklaces, bungles, and earrings, among others.