Help a Refugee Mother Feed Her Children

When YICE Uganda set out to support refugee-led organizations to take the lead in regenerative farming, we hoped to spark a new level of ownership and capacity within refugee communities. This year, that hope became a reality through our partnership with AVDA Uganda, a refugee-led organization based in Rwamwanja Refugee Settlement.

With technical assistance, mentorship, and a project grant from YICE Uganda, AVDA implemented a six-month Agri-Club Project in two primary schools—Kikurura and St. Paul. What started as a simple idea—to help children learn how to grow food—quickly became a powerful example of what refugee-led groups can achieve when trusted and equipped.

120 students joined the Agri-Clubs, meeting twice a week to learn regenerative farming, soil health, composting, water conservation, and tree planting. For many of these children—refugee and host-community alike—it was their first time planting a seed, caring for a garden, or watching food grow from soil they enriched themselves. Another 300 students benefited indirectly through demonstrations, school gardens, and awareness activities.

As the gardens flourished with carrots, onions, sukuma wiki, eggplants, and fruit trees, something else grew too: confidence and leadership. Students took turns managing garden teams, advising each other on plant health, and even teaching their families at home. During a “seed-to-table” event, they harvested their own vegetables, prepared a simple dish, and proudly shared it with teachers and parents—many experiencing, for the first time, the full cycle from soil to plate.

The project’s impact reached beyond the classroom. When two children with disabilities began missing school, AVDA visited their homes, learned that they felt excluded during non-learning hours, and used project resources to purchase simple inclusive play materials. The children returned to school—and returned as active members of the Agri-Clubs.

Along the way, challenges emerged: long dry spells, garden losses during school holidays, and the need for more tools and support for teachers. But AVDA didn’t face these alone—YICE Uganda provided continuous guidance, coaching on regenerative methods, and troubleshooting support. This collaboration strengthened AVDA’s operational capacity and deepened their expertise in climate-smart, hands-on agricultural education.

By the end of the six months, the evidence was clear:

• Students had developed practical farming and environmental skills.
• School gardens improved nutrition and supported meals for vulnerable learners.
• Environmental attitudes shifted, with children proudly leading tree planting and waste recycling.
• The school communities—teachers, parents, and local leaders—had become genuine partners.
• And most importantly, a refugee-led organization successfully delivered a full regenerative agriculture project with measurable impact.

For YICE Uganda, this was more than a project. It was proof that investing in refugee-led organizations is not only effective—it is essential for sustainability, community ownership, and long-term resilience. AVDA’s success gives us confidence that with continued support, many more RLOs can champion regenerative agriculture, strengthen local food systems, and inspire the next generation of young farmers.

This is the story of what happens when donors place trust in communities, when refugee-led organizations are empowered with skills and resources, and when young people are given the chance to grow—not just food, but their future.