MORE THAN FOUR MILLION PEOPLE HAVE BEEN DISPLACED SINCE THE CONFLICT IN SOUTH SUDAN BROKE OUT AGAIN. MANY OF THEM WENT TO UGANDA. NOW, SOME REFUGEES ARE RETURNING TO SAFER REGIONS OF THEIR HOME COUNTRY. HOWEVER, LIVING CONDITIONS REMAIN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE ARE PARTICULARLY AFFECTED DUE TO EXPERIENCES OF WAR AT A YOUNG AGE, THE INTERRUPTION OF THEIR EDUCATION AND THE LACK OF EMPLOYMENT PROSPECTS – LEADING TO HOPELESSNESS REGARDING THEIR FUTURE.
The goal of People on the move is to contribute to a healthy and self-determined future of war-affected refugees in camps in Northern Uganda, as well as returnees and residents in South Sudan.
MOVING FORWARD THROUGH SPORT AND PLAY
Together with our local partner organisation, the Community Psychosocial Support Organisation (CPSO) we build on previous project phases and aim to improve the psychosocial wellbeing, the education prospects and the employment skills of around 10,000 children and young adults. With sport and play-based activities they learn more effective strategies for coping with trauma.
REGAINING HOPE
Many schools have been destroyed by the war. Together with CPSO, we support them in rebuilding these important infrastructures so they can reopen again and children from over 30 schools are able to continue or resume their education in a safe and healthy environment. Through teacher trainings the teaching staff is trained to use sport and play-based activities for psychosocial support, promotion of sexual health and rights, as well as hygiene. Through regular sport and play-based community activities and entrepreneurship training, young adults are supported in improving their self-reliance and developing sustainable livelihoods. These activities are complemented by health awareness sessions, individual and group counselling, as well as access to mobile clinics. Finally, social cohesion is fostered between refugees and local populations in Uganda and among residents and returnees in South Sudan – creating not only hope for a future, but also friendship.