Giving Back, Renato Represents Hope!

When I sat down with Renato to understand the reason behind the trip, he told me that he felt compelled to help the refugees because they simply could not help themselves due to the lack of education, food, resources, and the freedom to leave the camp to pursue other opportunities. Some of these refugees walked with their families for over six months to arrive at the camp in search of peace.  

To the refugees, volunteers represent hope: the hope that there is a better future for them ahead. Volunteers not only represent economic resources but also intangibles like love and attention, giving them a feeling that someone does care.  

According to their website, a humanitarian mission to the Ubuntu Nation is more than a charitable trip, “It is a journey within yourself in its deepest meaning”. The Ubuntu Nation ground is located next to the camp with approximately 51,000 refugees from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi, and Rwanda. There you will find incredible stories of overcoming hardships, union, and love, which are impossible to describe in words. Volunteers have life-changing experiences when in contact with the “most suffering and the most beautiful of human beings: an ambiguity that enchants and excites.” “I am because we are” is the Ubuntu philosophy, and that is why charity, coming straight from the heart, will be welcomed by all refugees who have been living in precarious conditions for more than 28 years, with little food and resources but always keeping the hope that better days will be in store for them. More details can be found here. 

After speaking with the coordinator at Ubuntu Nation, Renato, and EverChain gave back and pledged $5,000 to build new classrooms at an existing school for refugee children. The school’s current 5 classrooms have been used to educate about 180 children under the age of 10 at one of the largest refugee camps in Africa, Dzaleka. 

When Renato’s group arrived at the camp, after several travel delays, the school foundation had already been laid. And because of the materials they use to build schools (not concrete, but rather clay and dirt), they have to work slowly to allow for the layers to dry so they do not collapse under the weight. It takes about three weeks to complete a school classroom that is no bigger than most people’s master bedrooms in the USA. Over the course of the trip, Renato met with the locals, who were slightly skeptical about why someone would want to help them, but in general very welcoming and friendly. Renato says there is a huge amount of work to be done and without the help of the Government or the UN, unless volunteers step up, progress will all but stop.  

When asked what’s next, Renato says there are a few important initiatives he wants to focus on: 

1. Raise more money to build more classrooms. A total of 8 new classrooms will be built. The goal is to raise $30,000 USD. Donations can be made using this form. Raise more money to purchase sporting goods for refugees to practice sports such as soccer, tennis, and basketball. Sport is one of the few activities that has been successful in keeping kids and adults away from drugs and alcohol as they have to be clean to play.
2. The goal is to raise $15,000 USD. Donations can be made using this form. Raise money to build a salon to cut the hair of students and teachers at school and residents of the refugee camp. They expect this project to have running water, solar panels and batteries for power, sewer, building materials, and of course, barber and beauty salon equipment for the shop. It will also serve as training workshops for refugees to learn new skills. The goal is to raise $30,000 USD.
3. Donations can be made using this form. Raise money to expand the “machambas” (or fields) by purchasing a 5-acre parcel of land adjacent to the Ubuntu Nation. This land will be used to expand the Field’s Mother program, giving an opportunity to at least 20 more vulnerable families to work, feed themselves, and in addition expand the supply of food provided to students at the Ubuntu Nation.
4. The goal is to raise $16,000 USD. Donations can be made using this form.

A little bit goes a long way, here is what it costs to provide support for people in the refugee camp: 

• $50/month to maintain a child in school – includes supplies, food (2 meals), teacher, and infrastructure. Donation form. 
• $50/month to sponsor each mother in the Field Mother’s program, where women can work in gardens to help feed the school kids and their children and avoid prostitution. Donation form. 
• $5/month to sponsor each choir member.

Should you feel inspired to contribute, this is a link to the general donation form. Select the Ubuntu Nation – Malawi project and if you prefer your donation to be designated to a specific program indicate that in the “Additional Comments” field. EverChain salutes Renato for putting CARE in Career and to support his efforts.