Refugee Youth for Rural Innovations and Integral Development Initiative

No Child Should Walk to School Barefoot Join Us in Changing This Reality

At Refugee Youth for Rural Innovations and Integral Development Initiative we work every day with children in Kyangwali Refugee Settlement who are determined to learn despite the barriers they face.

One of the most overlooked challenges is simple, yet critical: many children walk long distances to school without shoes.

This exposes them to injuries, infections, and often leads to irregular school attendance.

To respond to this, we are building a partnership with to bring to refugee children in our community.

This innovative solution is designed for children facing poverty, This Shoe:

Expands as they grow
Lasts for years
Supports safe access to education

Through this fundraising campaign, we aim to support children who walk 3–6 km daily just to access education.

$20 provides one pair of life-changing shoes

We are calling on:

Individuals to donate and share
Organizations to sponsor children or support scale
Partners to collaborate in expanding access to education support in refugee settings

Donate Now: https://fundraise.becauseinternational.org/RYRUID-UGANDA-for-Refugee-Children-School-Rentention

Together, we can remove one barrier at a time and ensure that every child has the opportunity to learn with dignity.

Today marked a powerful beginning for the (BuildTomorrow): Roots of Resilience, implemented by Refugee Youth for Rural Innovations and Integral Development Initiative in partnership with UZIMA MUPYA REJUVENATED FOUNDATION (UMRF) in Kyangwali Refugee Settlement.

Our community awareness session in Nyamiganda and Mukunyu villages brought together hundreds of adolescents, youth, and young mothers. Beyond introducing the Program components, participants openly shared the challenges they face that includes lack of opportunities, unemployment, school dropout, lack of capital linked to financial hardship, lack of mentorship beyond vocational skills, and emotional stress. By the end of the engagement, the community strongly welcomed the program and expressed readiness to take part in this journey of change.

Jenga Kesho is designed to go beyond skills training. It focuses on helping young people build confidence, shift their mindset, and take practical steps toward economic independence.

Importantly, this initiative responds to long-standing patterns of humanitarian dependency that have shaped communities over the years. It is intentionally designed to shift this reality by building a new mindset-one where communities move from dependency to owning and creating their own solutions, driven by local ideas, creativity, participation and leadership.

Through this program, participants will have access:
• Mindset and identity development (ensuring adolescents and youth understand the best versions of them selves)
• Psychosocial support and safe spaces (led by UMRF)
• Menstrual hygiene awareness for adolescent girls
• Adolescents and Youth Led-savings groups (VSLA)
• Practical livelihood and small business skills
• Financial literacy and business mentorship (led by RYRUID Uganda)

Our approach connects personal growth with economic opportunities because lasting change starts from within and is strengthened through action.

This is just the beginning. We are working with the community to build a pathway where young people become confident, financially responsible, and active contributors to their households and communities.

We welcome partners and supporters to join us in scaling this community-led model for youth resilience and economic empowerment.


Cohere Conrad N. Hilton Foundation PALM Corps Reliance Foundation International Foundation for Recovery And Development - IFRAD

We are pleased to share a glimpse into our ongoing work advancing self-reliance within the communities we serve.

At Refugee Youth for Rural Innovations and Integral Development Initiative RYRUID UGANDA, we are creating spaces where adolescents, young mothers, and youth actively shape their own futures. Through Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), they are building financial discipline, mobilizing resources, and taking collective steps toward economic independence.

A powerful example is Maendeleo Youths Group in Nyamiganda Village, KyangwaliRefugeeSettlement, Kikuube Uganda. Following hands-on vocational skills training under the YES-UP Project, we have continued working closely with these young people to support their transition from skills development to real-life application. Today, they are mobilizing peers, strengthening a culture of saving, and taking early steps toward launching income-generating activities.

This is what self-reliance looks like community-led, youth-driven, and rooted in dignity and opportunity.

We remain committed to bridging the gap between skills and sustainable livelihoods, especially for adolescents and young mothers who are often left behind.

We welcome continued collaboration with partners and donors to scale these pathways to impact.


Bridge Africa Network Mastercard Foundation
Hope for Refugees in Action Cohere Conrad N. Hilton Foundation Community Development For Good Hope CEFORD-Uganda PALM Corps Reliance Foundation Sustainable Youth Development Foundation International Foundation for Recovery And Development - IFRAD

Meet the Team Behind Our Impact

Today, we spotlight , our dedicated at Refugee Youth for Rural Innovations and Integral Developmet Initiative-RYRUID UGANDA

Evelyn continues to play a key role in shaping and driving our programs, ensuring they are impactful, community-driven, and aligned with our mission to empower refugees and host communities. Through her leadership, our initiatives continue to grow in reach, quality, and sustainability.

In her role, Evelyn leads:
• Program Design & Implementation
• Strategic Planning & Coordination
• Project Management & Delivery
• Partnerships & Stakeholder Engagement
• Team Leadership & Capacity Building
•Program Implementation Coordination

Her commitment and leadership remain instrumental in delivering programs that create measurable, effective, and sustainable impact in the communities we serve.

We are proud to have Evelyn as part of our leadership team and to celebrate the ongoing work she is doing to transform lives.

Today we celebrate the incredible women leaders within our team and across our communities who continue to inspire change, empower others, and lead with purpose. 🌿💚

Their dedication, resilience, and vision are transforming lives and strengthening communities every day. Through their leadership, women are driving innovation, championing inclusion, and creating opportunities for the next generation.

At , we believe that when women lead, communities grow stronger, more resilient, and more hopeful for the future. Today and every day, we celebrate the power, courage, and impact of women who are shaping a better tomorrow.

Happy International Women's Day

Kevin Labong

Refugee Led Organization Network
The Refugee Voice Hope for Refugees in Action

Opportunity Alert: Join the SIYEP Project Training Program!

​Are you a young woman in Kyangwali Refugee Settlement looking to gain professional skills? Refugee Youth for Rural Innovations and Integral Development Initiative , in partnership with , is now accepting applications for our 3-Month Soap Making Training Course under the SIYEP Project. This hands-on program is designed to give you the vocational expertise needed to generate income and build a sustainable future.

​Why Join?
✅ 100% Free of charge.
✅ Hands-on professional skills.
✅ Direct pathway to work and entrepreneurship.

​How to Apply:
Visit us in Kyangwali or contact our team at +256 781 105 469. Don't wait—the deadline is February 15th, 2026!
​Let’s work together to restore hope and dignity through skill-building.

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We are proud to announce that
Refugee Youth for Rural Innovations and Integral Development Initiative is now officially registered as a nonprofit organization in Uganda.

This certification is more than a legal step into transitioning from a Community Based Organization, it marks a strengthened commitment to the refugee youth and rural communities we serve. Registered as a , is now fully positioned to scale impact, advance sustainable innovation, and drive inclusive, community-led development.

This registration also serves as formal proof of our transition from our previous name and structure, reinforcing our institutional growth and long-term vision.

Our sincere appreciation goes to our dedicated team, partners, and the Uganda Registration Services Bureau URSB for supporting this important transition.

We are open to partnership and collaborations. Let’s build resilient, inclusive, and sustainable futures together.