Yesterday, we hosted the Cohere team at our office in Kyaka II refugee settlement, a visit that meant a great deal to all of us at YIDA Youth Initiative.

Micheal Gumisiriza and Basika Sabiti joined us to witness, up close, the impact taking shape here in Kyaka II. Our work is deeply human, demanding a lot from our team emotionally, physically, and mentally, as we operate within the realities of a humanitarian and refugee setting.

Our Executive Director, James Gihoma, and the team had a candid conversation with the Cohere team on the impact of our programs and where YIDA is headed strategically.

What stood out most: real impact is built on real relationships. Cohere has walked with us for a long time, and it's partnerships and shared purpose that carry this work forward.

As YIDA continues growing its work in entrepreneurship and affordable, quality education for refugee youth in Kyaka II, we're grateful for partners like Cohere who choose to stay close to the journey.

What does a great school day look like for a child in Kyaka II Refugee Settlement?

It starts with energy. At YIDA Youth Initiative Kindergarten, every morning opens with fun group energizers, activities that boost morale, build community, and get young minds ready to learn.

We know that for refugee children, school is more than academics. It's stability. It's hope. And it starts with a smile in the morning.

At YIDA Youth Initiative, we remain committed to providing quality and affordable early childhood education to the children who need it most.

At YIDA Youth Initiative, we believe no child should have to choose between eating and learning.

Every school day, we ensure each child in our program receives a warm cup of nutritious porridge enriched with sugar and goat's milk because concentration begins with nourishment.

The results speak for themselves: 

✅ Better focus in the classroom 

✅ Improved energy and health 

✅ Higher school retention rates

A hungry child cannot learn. When we feed a child, we don't just fill their stomach — we open the door to their future.

Our school feeding programme is one of the quiet pillars holding up everything else we do. It keeps children in school, present, and ready to grow.

Yesterday, YIDA Youth Initiative joined fellow farmer groups in Byabakola Zone, Kyaka II Refugee Settlement, for an Agriculture Farming and Livelihood Exhibition organized by Peace Winds Japan.

Among the highlights was our youth-led Mushroom Project, a testament to what young people can achieve when given the tools, training, and platform to grow. Our young farmers proudly showcased their mushroom produce and walked event attendees through the fundamentals of mushroom production, sparking curiosity and inspiring conversations about sustainable, accessible livelihoods.

In Kyaka II Refugee Settlement, the classroom is being reimagined. Through the Flying Colors project powered by Kolibri — Learning Equality's digital learning platform, children at Youth Initiative Primary School now have access to quality education right at their fingertips.

Each child is equipped with a tablet loaded with engaging, curriculum-aligned content. The results speak for themselves: measurable improvements in numeracy and literacy are already being seen among learners who previously had limited access to quality educational materials.

"For many of these children, the tablet is their first experience with interactive learning. Watching them navigate lessons, solve problems, and grow in confidence is extraordinary."