Uganda: Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement Project

Continued Support for Kiryandongo Initiatives: Q4 2016

January 28, 2017

Naku Charles Lwanga

Summary of Activities

School Support

A total of 9,809 schoolchildren were supported by RMF/WCF funding in nursery, primary, and secondary schools including South Sudanese, Kenyan, Rwandan, Burundian, Ugandan IDP, and Congolese children/students. Fourth term school fees were paid in all sponsored schools.

Medicine Delivery

During the reporting period, RMF/WCF provided medicine and medical supplies to the health centers in Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement. This was supplemented by medical supplies from Kiryandongo District’s local government and the UNHCR. Salaries, wages, and top-up allowances for staff members delivering health services were paid in a timely manner.

Panyadoli Vocational Training Institute (PVTI)

We continue to provide financial support and guidance for the four departments at RMF’s Panyadoli Vocational Training Institute (PVTI). During this reporting period:

  • 79 new students were admitted for this intake.
  • The process of admitting new students was initiated through advertising the opportunity in the community. This led many prospective students to apply to PVTI.
  • Many prospective students applied, but only 79 were accepted, as PVTI’s financial support is not enough to support all applicants.
  • All students went through PVTI’s interview process, and the selection criteria were based upon passing the interview. All partners implementing activities in the settlement were invited, but only the OPM, UNHCR, Kiryandongo District Local Government, Community Leaders RWCIII, RMF’s coordinator, and PVTI instructors attended the interviews.
  • 121 applicants were interviewed, and only 79 managed to pass interviews.
  • All materials were provided for the third intake and students continued with daily programs.
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Results &

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Panyadoli Vocational Training Institute (PVTI)

Economic Recovery

The Panyadoli Vocational Training Institute (PVTI) is providing solutions for economic recovery to numerous refugee youth. Maintaining youth participation in vocational training directly and indirectly helps to curb other social problems in the community, such as unplanned pregnancies, rape cases, substance abuse, etc. Vocational training allows some refugee youth who, once finished their training, can begin generating income.

Panyadoli Health Centre III

Construction Progress

Through a bidding process, Ben and Dok Enterprises Ltd was selected to construct the Maternity ward expansion and the Minor Operating Theatre. The company also agreed to integrate graduates of RMF’s Panyadoli Vocational Training Institute who have been trained in construction. Thus, an additional benefit of the project is that it has provided employment for several of our graduates. Construction of the Maternity ward expansion and the Minor Operating Theatre are nearing completion and will help to further improve health services at Panyadoli Health Centre III.

Precious Children’s Centre

Proper Nutrition

Children and students at the Precious Children’s Centre in Kawempe Division, Kampala are very comfortable in class, as they no longer have to worry about getting enough to eat. Thanks to RMF’s support, the school provides students with a nutritious breakfast and lunch. Teachers are also paid on time, so they remain encouraged and motivated in their work.

New RMF Office

Kampala

RMF Uganda’s new Kampala office is where our Human Resource Manager, procurement officers, directors, and project coordinators are based. The office is complete with a conference room, reception area, new laptops and laptop bags, and new tables and chairs.

Additional Medical Doctors

Reducing the Referal Rate

RMF previously recruited two additional medical doctors, which has helped reduce the number of referrals. A majority of medical cases are now handled at the Panyadoli Health Centre III, and only complicated cases that need surgery or specialists are referred to Kiryandongo Hospital, Gulu Hospital, or to the national referral hospital in Mulago.

Kiryandongo Hospital

Partnership Aids Community

The bond of collaboration between RMF and Kiryandongo Hospital has been strengthened since RMF has provided a medical officer to support the hospital, especially with cases requiring surgery. This strategy has helped RMF win the hearts of the Kiryandongo District Local Government, and has a direct bearing on promoting the peaceful coexistence of refugees and the host community.

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Background

& Objectives

Background

The Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement in Bweyale, Uganda, is a UNHCR managed refugee settlement that provides shelter, land, and support for more than 100,000 people. They are comprised of refugees from Kenya, DR Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, and South Sudan. RMF has partnered with UNHCR in supporting Kiryandango Refugee Settlement, the surrounding community of Bweyale, and the greater Kiryandongo District (an additional 266,197 people) with health care, education, and vocational training since 2008.

Objectives

  • To serve as a health care implementation partner with the UNHCR and Ugandan Government
  • To provide health care services to over 100,000 refugees and persons in the community via the Panyadoli Health Centres
  • To provide skills training for South Sudanese refugees to enable them to become self-reliant
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More

Photos

Click to enlarge

Real Medicine Foundation - more photos.
Real Medicine Foundation - more photos.
Real Medicine Foundation - more photos.
Real Medicine Foundation - more photos.
Real Medicine Foundation - more photos.
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Numbers

Served

According to the UNHCR and OPM (Office of the Prime Minister), the current core population of Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement is over 80,000.

In addition to the refugee community, services provided by RMF benefit Kiryandongo District’s host population of over 266,197.

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Success

Stories

Patricia Biira

Progress Update

RMF has continued supporting a young heart patient, Patricia Biira, by funding her consultations and medical treatment at Mulago Heart Institute. Patricia is progressing, and now Mulago Heart Institute requires over seven million Uganda shillings for her operation.