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The Symphonies

The symphonies are a refugee led organization that provide opportunities both refugees and host young people and children to develop through music and performing arts across South Africa. Open to all styles and performing arts. We work with children and youth harnessing the power of music, poetry, and artistic work, to bridge social, geographical, and cultural divides, creating a platform for intercultural dialogue and acceptance with a vast array of activities. Our vision: Using creative expression to hone young people ability to communicate, acquire cultural literacy, gain industry knowledge, and most importantly is to develop their voices as community leaders. Our Mission: Gives lived experienced people the opportunity to articulate their experiences and express their creativity through fine arts instruction and performing arts. Our Programs: The program & Projects provides musical and performing arts opportunities for young people to cross borders and interact around the globe. Each project has a unique focus on diversity and empowerment, creating cultural understanding and acceptance through music and arts. Reflecting migrants' long history as trendsetting music hub which offers a variety of music that take advantage of young people's love for of hip-hop and R & B to engage them in marketable skill-building activities. Music Program includes. . Studio recording and engineering. . Radio and Club Djing . Microphone skills and vocal coaching . Music and Lyrical Composition . Beginning and advanced Piano On the third Fridays of every month at " Free style Friday" youth rappers, gospel singers, dancers, poets, and musicians come together " clean and conscious, because we build our community up, not down" to make music and share their talents.

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Basic Education

Five refugee-led organisations (RLOs) are transforming their communities by delivering formal education initiatives to refugee children. The schools run by the RLOs, are providing over 2,071 children with unique and quality education opportunities that can help them build better futures. At a global level, UNHCR estimate that half of the 3.5 million refugee children of primary school age do not go to school. This can have severe developmental and psychosocial impact on these young people on top of their experiences of being forcibly displaced. Formal education systems in refugee-hosting countries often cannot meet the demands, as well as there being multiple barriers for refugees enrolling in schools. RLOs are playing a vital role in closing these gaps, however their expertise in delivering formal education is not always formally recognised. Refugee-led organisations are working to ensure that the next generation of children can build better futures for themselves. They want to build more classrooms, ensure teachers are trained properly, and ensure that children can access learning in safe spaces that nurture and protect them. These organisations are coming together despite these challenges to serve their communities meaningfully. Find out more about the progress they’ve made below and read their stories of collective change. The more support they receive, the more they will be able to improve the quality of the learning experience and enroll more children in their schools. Be part of the change and donate today.

Raised: £ 34,169

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Nov 12, 2024

By VDPA

Every December 3rd, the world comes together to honor the International Day for Persons with Disabilities (IDPD), a day dedicated to promoting the rights, dignity, and well-being of persons with disabilities globally. This year, under the theme "Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future," the Voice for Disabled People Association (VDPA) is taking proactive steps to highlight the essential role that individuals with disabilities play within their communities, particularly in refugee settings like Kakuma and Kalobeyei.   The celebration aims to bring together diverse stakeholders, including UNHCR, the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), NGOs, community-based organizations (CBOs), and refugee-led organizations (RLOs). Together, we will foster understanding, advocate for change, and celebrate the remarkable contributions of persons with disabilities. Here’s how we plan to make this day impactful.   Our Objectives for IDPD 2024 Raise Awareness: We want to spotlight the rights, challenges, and needs of persons with disabilities, with a special focus on refugee contexts where these issues are often compounded. Promote Inclusion: We aim to emphasize the importance of inclusion across all areas of life—from education and healthcare to employment—ensuring that persons with disabilities have the opportunity to thrive. Celebrate Achievements: This day is a chance to recognize the contributions that individuals with disabilities have made to their communities, breaking stereotypes and reshaping narratives. Advocate for Change: Through various initiatives, we will use this platform to push for policies that improve the lives of persons with disabilities, particularly in refugee settings.   Planned Activities for IDPD 2024 To realize these objectives, we have curated a series of activities designed to engage, educate, and inspire. Here's a look at what’s in store: 1. Public Awareness Campaign Leading up to December 3rd, VDPA will roll out a campaign on social media, through community posters, and via newsletters. The campaign will share powerful stories, statistics, and infographics, all aimed at shedding light on the lives and experiences of persons with disabilities. 2. Community Workshops We’ll host workshops and discussions within the refugee community that cover topics like disability rights, accessibility, and empowerment. Guest speakers, including disability rights advocates, will join to provide firsthand perspectives and valuable insights, fostering a deeper understanding within the community. 3. Art and Cultural Exhibitions Art has the power to communicate beyond words, and our exhibition will showcase the talents of individuals with disabilities through visual art, poetry readings, and live performances. This is an opportunity for participants to express themselves and for audiences to experience their creative voices. 4. Inclusive Sports and Play Activities Our inclusive sports events encourage participation from everyone, regardless of physical abilities. These activities promote unity, physical health, and social inclusion, strengthening the sense of community and connection among participants. 5. Panel Discussion We are organizing a panel discussion featuring representatives from the community, UNHCR, NCPWD, NGOs, CBOs, RLOs, and disability experts. Together, they will explore critical issues faced by persons with disabilities in refugee contexts, discussing both the challenges and potential solutions. 6. Advocacy Statements As part of our mission to make a lasting impact, we’ll draft and distribute advocacy statements to stakeholders. These statements will emphasize the rights of persons with disabilities and advocate for their inclusion in policy conversations, ensuring that their voices are heard at all levels of decision-making.   Expected Outcomes Through these activities, we aim to achieve the following: Increased Awareness: By engaging the community and stakeholders, we hope to foster a more profound understanding of the rights and needs of persons with disabilities. Enhanced Community Engagement: By offering inclusive activities, we strengthen community bonds and build mutual respect and empathy. Policy Advocacy: Through clear, actionable recommendations, we’ll push for policies that support the inclusion and empowerment of persons with disabilities. Empowerment: Our goal is to encourage individuals with disabilities to advocate for themselves, take on leadership roles, and make meaningful contributions to their communities.   Join Us in Making a Difference This December 3rd, let's unite to celebrate, support, and uplift persons with disabilities. By amplifying their leadership, we work toward a future where everyone, regardless of ability, has the chance to shape their community and the world. With your support, we can foster an inclusive and sustainable environment for persons with disabilities in Kakuma, Kalobeyei, and beyond. Contact Us If you would like to participate, volunteer, or learn more about our initiatives, please reach out to us: Jules Mkelelwa MwandjaFounder and Director, Voice for Disabled People AssociationEmail: vdpa.office@gmail.com / mwandjajules@gmail.comPhone: +254705130723 Let’s create a future where every voice is heard and every leader, no matter their ability, is empowered. Together, we can make a difference.

Nov 12, 2024

By Refugee Mental Health Network

When we started Refugee Mental Health Network, then called Mental Health Family, we were a small dedicated team with a shared dream of supporting mental well-being in refugee communities. In those early days, we used our own funds, and we could only offer basic refreshments and minimal transport refund of about $2. Even with these challenges, we kept pushing forward, determined to make an impact in our communities.   Today, we’re officially registered, and running an 8-week therapy program for refugee mothers that are either victims of gender-based violence, sexual violence or both, the program combines mental health support in form of group therapy with yoga and financial literacy training. As we’ve grown, reaching over 1,000 people both online and in person, we’ve also seen the importance of having a central, reliable space where our community can find us consistently for therapy and follow-up care. Right now, our greatest need is for this dedicated space, as borrowing locations often creates challenges in maintaining regular support.   We’re also working hard to ensure we can continue supporting the mothers in our program, and we’re running a GoFundMe to help sustain these sessions. We’re hopeful that as more people see our work, they’ll feel inspired to join us in this vision, bringing us closer to a community where every refugee has access to healing, support, and resilience.   Alongside our mission to create a safe physical space with dedicated therapy rooms, we aim to train refugee mental health counselors who can provide therapy in local languages. This approach will break language barriers and offer culturally sensitive care, creating resilient communities where refugees can rebuild, heal, and thrive   GoFundMe link: https://gofund.me/7d841dab Donate via Reframe: https://bit.ly/3As7c3p 

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We want to Reframe the global humanitarian system and are committed to do things differently. We want to build a community of refugee leaders who are ready to respond to the world's biggest crises by leading change and delivering their own solutions.

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