Two self-help programs, delivered by refugees for refugees
Soma!!!Soma!!! keeps children in school. Kura!!!Kura!!! regenerates the land families depend on. Both are run on the ground by our partner, Now and Tomorrow Uganda.
Soma!!!Soma!!!
(Read Read in Swahili) focuses on getting out of school children enrolled in government schools and supports them to stay in school. Getting an education is the only way out of their current situation for virtually all refugees.
But the obstacles are considerable from no money for school fees and uniforms, to a lack of emphasis on education, to the food insecurity crisis to cultural barriers. Keeping children enrolled requires persistent follow-up and support and is part of Now and Tomorrow’s commitment.
Curriculum & instruction
A Ministry-approved Language Bridge Curriculum for children aged 8–14 spans 20 weeks across three levels, with every class taught by two trained facilitators and supported by regular assessments.
Community engagement
Parents form support committees and receive training to improve retention; workshops address child rights, early learning, and financial literacy, alongside home visits for learners at risk.
Support services
Learning materials and daily porridge meals encourage attendance; school fees are paid for one term, while savings accounts are established for orphans and vulnerable children.
Instructor capacity
Facilitators are selected based on teaching qualifications, with priority given to local community members, then mentored—strengthening sustainable teaching capacity within the settlement.
Kura!!!Kura!!!
(Grow Grow in Kinyarwandan) was created in response to the elimination of food assistance for the refugees. Each family is given a 20 meter by 20 meter plot of land to build a dwelling, a latrine and to plant whatever they can grow. Unfortunately, the land is degraded and the availability of water is limited and the knowledge of the refugees is based on historical agricultural practices.
But the good news is there is a proven method to rejuvenate the soil, capture the water and build biodiversity that has been proven in settings exactly like Nakivale. The Kura Kura Team was sent to an intensive certification program in Northern Uganda and is now bringing those methods to the communities of Nakivale.
Design
A Nakivale-tailored design that optimises energy and resource use working with sun, wind, terrain and roads, while turning waste streams into productive resources.
Water
Multiple methods to slow, spread, sink and store water—reducing runoff and erosion while harvesting rain, wastewater and borehole water throughout the year.
Soil health
Building an soil ecosystem through deep preparation, organic fertilisers and protection from intense sun, wind and rain for healthy, more productive harvests.
Biodiversity
A diverse mix of plants, trees and animals working together combining perennials and support species for nutrition and sustainable income all year round.
Traditional kitchen gardens
- A few vegetable varieties only
- Needs regular daily watering
- Very susceptible to drought and climate shocks
- Short lifespan as soil degrades
- Driven by short-term thinking
Kura Kura gardens
- Biodiverse food forests with perennials & trees
- Year-round harvests
- Greater resistance to drought and climate shocks
- Shaped by the land’s contours to bank rainwater
- Sustained through mentorship and real knowledge