My first test of the pilot in Uganda
While I stayed in Uganda in August, I facilitated discussion groups with children aged 9 to 18 years. I am in the process of developing my idea of illustrative picture cards to promote self-awareness, mental health and well-being in youth and children.
The picture cards are specified in three coloured categories for 1) occupational interests, 2) out-of-school interests and 3) emotions. The intention is to facilitate conversations with individual children and group activities to promote self-expression and participation. In development theory, participative approaches allow individuals to focus on aspects that they find important in their own lives. UNHCR defines participatory assessment with youth and children as involving decision-making concerning their protection and well-being (UNHCR 2012). It also enhances their capacity and resilience, in the process of building life skills.
“My intention was originally to organize groups in refugee camps in Uganda, but I had to spontaneously make other plans. I made friends with Mario from Portugal, who connected me with a pastor in Jinja, David Wafula. David was keen to learn more about my project.”
My intention was originally to organize groups in refugee camps in Uganda, but I had to spontaneously make other plans. I made friends with Mario from Portugal, who connected me with a pastor in Jinja, David Wafula. David was keen to learn more about my project. After arriving in Jinja on a Saturday I had a brief meeting with Rev. David Wafula of Adoration Worship Center at a local restaurant. He invited me to join them for service the day after and to organize an activity with youth. For the time being the congregation does not have an actual church building, but they organize church service by using a large tent to provide shelter from heat and rain. It gives cover to 200 people or so. The tent is put up and taken down every weekend for the purpose of having church service. They are raising funds with the intention of building their church in Kainogoga village, Jinja.
Reverend Wafula asked the youth who were present during church service to join in the activity, if they wanted to. Participation is meant to be on a voluntarily basis, with the goal of providing them with increased insight and understanding during the activity. Increased understanding about issues concerning themselves may lead to better informed choices. I thought that maybe fifteen-twenty youth were wanting to participate, but I was surprised to see that thirty-five of them actively engaged in the activity, while other kids were observing and paying attention. I quicky realized that I would have to improvise in how to facilitate in an inclusive manner.
We started with having two fun activities with the intention of building trust and contact. One of the youth, Moureen Nakisige (24) assisted me as an interpreter and a facilitator, and did an excellent job at doing so. She has completed her Bachelors degree in Social work, but does not have a job. After the first two activities I divided the youth in six groups, in which they were going to cooperate.
I handed out picture cards of all three previously mentioned categories to all groups and asked them to pick out two-three that they liked in the group. Their first task was to choose an occupation, and by using body language express to the other youth a work-related task for this particular occupation. The groups chose the occupations police officer, car mechanic, beautician, farmer, office secretary and photographer.
A couple of the groups chose to present their groupwork by presenting roleplay, which made everyone in the group laugh. Subsequently, in their separate groups I asked them to discuss what they see as important values in the particular ocupations, and why they are important in society. Food security was one value that was mentioned, as well as community security. Secondly, they discussed personality traits that are important in the different lines of work, mentioning being patient, just, service-minded and smart.
At the end of the activity I asked the youth if they had enjoyed the activity and if they had learnt something. The youth responded that they had learnt to cooperate, to “think big”, that they had been encouraged to work hard and that they had fun. Some had made new friends, and they had good interaction in the groups. One girl mentioned that in the beginning she did not feel confident speaking in a large group, but she felt better in the smaller group.
By the time that I left Jinja and Uganda I had four groups with youth about the topic talent identification. Every group is different and I am also learning as I go.
