Refugee Global Talent: Help the build up!

 
*Who are they: 

The short story: RGT  is an arts collective founded in Nakivale Refugee Settlement, Uganda.  It has been created by young refugees wishing to uplift their peers through the performing arts.

In spaces where education fails to meet the needs of youth, they coach in a peer-to-peer manner that promotes individuality and co-operation. Their focus is in physical arts such as dance, singing and beatbox.

Their track record includes pioneering the International Refugee Arts Festival in 2019 & 2021 as well as numerous outreaches to refugee camps of Uganda.

2022 finds them seeking to apply themselves on a larger scale. 

Through the pandemic they all but shrunk their efforts, stepping up their work ethic to reach more people, plan more events, elevate their peers further. 

*Film:

The first sprouts of Refugee Global Talent formed after its founders were disappointed by the school complex in Nakivale Refugee Settlement. Unable to find a platform that supported individuals in turning talent to skill, they decided to create one. Supported by autonomous learning station Unleashed, RGT managed to grow from an idea to an organisation. 

While operating as part of a local collective, they spread their love for dance culture through holding open training sessions as well as organising and hosting events in their local community. As of 2019 they decided to expand and have travelled across refugee camps in Uganda gathering input and sharing their story.

The Need and your Impact:

Safe to say that an office and training space would really tick a box. Thus, this is the next step. Having moved on from the incubation space of Unleashed, this will ensure that they continue their activities indefinitely, whatever the weather!

They have taken this task onto themselves, but to succeed, they need your help. 

RGT conductors are currently occupied with designing and building their 'office'. They are seeking support from partners and individuals that are willing and able to help them complete this task. For this, they seek a total goal of £1,500. This will enable them to buy the land to build on. 

If you are interested to get further involved as a sponsor, contributor, partner or donor, the space is there for you! Do not hesitate to contact us directly with anything you feel is important -- worlds can only be built through connection.


Traction breakdown:

*International Refugee Arts Festival  | 2019  & 2021  (against all odds)




Facts and figures:

Nakivale is home to roughly 100,000 refugees, 70% of which are between the ages of 15-35.

The settlement Locals come from South Sudan, DRC, Burundi, Rwanda, Somalia, Eritrea and Ethiopia and they live together, in joint enterprise, under banners of autonomy. 

36% of households in Nakivale are female fronted. Of the women within the settlement, 45% will prostitute themselves against their true will in order to provide for their families. 

RGT wishes to provide safe  space where all youth can meet, network, learn and train together in order to pursue their dreams and grow their talents to skill. 

Normally, access to pursuing these skills is limited to as little as 2% of the settlement population. 

In their own words:

"We believe that refugees can help Uganda, Africa and the whole world because we believe that 'Refugee' is just a name. Refugees still have potential, a need to meet their personal goals, they still need to follow their passions, still need access to education, still need to live their life.  By donating to us you are not only helping to support our project but also saving the lives of thousands of refugees, improving their local economy, helping individuals to not only earn a living but also become self-reliant and help others in their turn"


Who is us (Uplift Collective):

We are the Brighton-based embryo of the idea that people perform best and happiest when their drive sprouts from  the  support they exchange with their peers. 

In Nakivale we were taught that loving life is possible still , no matter the grit.

In years to come we hope to realise a series of exhibitions and theatrical showcases that demonstrate this.