WIU continues to put youth at the helm of its programming. In partnership with Artolution, WIU implemented an art project aimed at talent development in Bidibidi, Yumbe for which learners between 14-25 years were trained.
Alongside the Artolution program, WIU engaged the youth in several other activities listed below;
Cultural Gala Festivals for peaceful coexistence
UNHCR through WIU engaged youth cultural gala festivals in Bidibidi refugee settlement zone 1-5 and also in the host communities. At least 10 cultural groups were registered in each of the zones to participate in the event. These included; Acholi, Madi, Nuer, Shiruk, Pojuru, Kakwa, keriko, kuku, lango, Aringa and Peri. After the competition the overall winners were rewarded as a way to make the communities eat and work together to bring out a peaceful coexistence.
Games and Sports tournaments
As a way to foster and increase girl’s empowerment in the refugee settlement, UNHCR/WIU through its youth engagement activities facilitated sports tournaments as holiday programs with special focus on girls’ netball in zone 3. This was because young girls between the age of 14-35 were at high risk of early marriages and alcohol and drug abuse.
Yoyo (zone 3) is composed of 11 villages and at least each village came up with a netball team. Therefore, 11 girls’ netball teams were formed with at least 15 players per team .These teams were named according to their villages. One hundred and sixty five girls participated in the tournaments and the best team was rewarded with a goat as a way to eat together and build a peaceful coexistence.
The girls’ participation in sports and inclusion of the local community fought against gender inequality and helped control issues of child marriage.
Therefore sports have been used as a tool for social norm change and also for child protection as this will ensure community ownership and sustainability.
BidiBidi Got Talent competition (2017-2018)
The “Bidibidi’s got talent Season 1and 2” project was used as a platform to continue identifying the talent of the youth within the settlement and neighbouring communities. The target was children and youth aged from 15 to 30 year old.
It encouraged the children and youth to voice their problems as well as their dreams through 4 categories of art: drama, dance and music, Art, Fashion and design. The groups that emerged winners were encouraged to submit proposals of their project for funding opportunities to use their art as a powerful tool to educate communities on protection issues.
Topical Debates in and out schools
WIU in partnership with UNHCR conducted debate session in each of the 5 zones of Bidibidi. At least 605 Youth 401M and 204F youth participated in these debates. These debates targeted youth in and out of school.
The use of debates presented an effective and culturally accepted tool for outreach activities that engaged the communities and, thus initiate broader dialogue and debate on specific issues of concern, including gender roles, social issues, non-violent behaviour, etc.
Debates contributed to the prevention and mitigation of risk through engagement of the wider community per Zone, including on issues of general concern for PoCs with a particular focus on access to Education for girls , early marriage and early pregnancy, SGBV, child to child sex, alcohol and substance abuse, intimate partner violence, HIV/Aids, sexual exploitation, etc.
Music Dance and Drama Festivals
As a way to demonstrate the technical and interpretive skills necessary for artistic self-expression in a variety of repertory through ensemble performance in the student’s primary area of vocal or instrumental performance, WIU in partnership with UNHCR engaged youth in music festivals to create opportunities for the youth to be able to explore their skills and talent in music, dance and drama. This engagement primarily help clients improve their health in several domains, such as cognitive functioning, motor skills, emotional development, social skills, and quality of life, by using music experiences such as free improvisation, singing, and listening to, discussing, and moving to music to achieve treatment.
Participation in school clubs
School Clubs ensured that every child who was capable of forming their own views and given the right to express those views freely in all matters affecting them.
School clubs also enhanced child protection through education by assuring children their right to a safe learning environment and quality education is essential. Education is not only a basic human right but also important for protecting children of concern and enhancing self-esteem.
This activity introduced at least 10 clubs in each of the primary and secondary schools in Bidibidi Refugee Settlement, and each club consisted of at least 50 students.