Nakivale Refugee Settlement in southwestern Uganda is home to tens of thousands of people who have fled conflict, violence, and instability in neighboring countries. While the settlement provides safety, many families still face enormous challenges rebuilding their lives.
Access to mental health support is limited. Opportunities for education and meaningful work are scarce and there are very few places where people can gather simply to learn, share ideas, and support one another.
We want to change that.
Nakujali Foundation envisions a world where refugees and orphans live with dignity, opportunity, and hope—empowered to lead fulfilling lives. We strive to build a community where trauma is healed, resilience is nurtured, and each individual has access to the support and resources necessary to thrive.
Our goal is to build the Healing and Empowering Center, a community-led space where refugees—especially women and young people—can come together to heal, learn practical skills, and strengthen their community.
The Healing and Empowering Center will provide a safe and welcoming space for activities that strengthen resilience and create opportunities for the future.
Programs at the center will include:
• trauma-informed healing activities
• yoga and mindfulness sessions
• art therapy and creative workshops
• skills training programs for refugee women
• youth education and creative development
• community dialogue and peer support gathering
What makes this project unique is that the entire process will be shared openly with the world. From collecting plastic bottles and making eco-bricks to building the structures and launching the programs inside them, the journey will be documented and shared through social media and video updates.
By sharing the process openly, the project becomes more than a local initiative—it becomes a learning platform that other communities can observe and adapt. Inspired by the spirit of the permaculture movement, where practical solutions are shared freely, the goal is to create a model that others facing similar challenges can learn from. We are raising funds to build the Healing and Empowering Center and launch its programs. Your contribution will support:
• construction materials and structural components
• solar power installation for lighting and programs
• tools and equipment for training activities
• program materials for workshops and education
• community engagement and project coordination.
Every donation helps move the project closer to becoming a reality.
Help Us Build a Place of Hope The Healing and Empowering Center
We will serve hundreds of people each year—providing space for healing, learning, and opportunity. It will show how communities can transform waste into useful resources, how shared effort can build lasting spaces, and how local solutions can inspire others around the world. With your support, this vision can become reality.