Eastern DRC · Nakivale · Kampala · beyond
Journey of
Impact
2014 — 2026
Twelve years, one thread: showing up for communities carrying displacement, loss and resilience and building the organisation that could stay for the long run.
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2014
Action des Jeunes Pour le Développement founded in DRC
Peace advocacy takes shape across Bibokoboko, Baraka and Fizi Territory, South Kivu connecting local communities with international experts working on the same questions of conflict and recovery.
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2015
Forced displacement to Uganda
Escalating violence in Eastern DRC forces relocation. The work does not stop it moves with the people it serves, continuing alongside refugee youth and women on resilience and social cohesion.
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2017
YAREN Organisation conceptualised
The first community engagement sessions launch in Nakivale refugee settlement the seed of what YAREN would become.
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2018-19
Foundation years
Building the first programmes
SGBV prevention, youth education and English language programmes take root. 115 women trained in mental health. 98 youth supported in identifying community needs. The first peace and conflict resolution programming begins.
115women trained in mental health98youth identifying community needs
Deep listening across communities -
2020
Pandemic response
Care doesn't pause for a crisis
Hygiene materials reach more than 2,000 vulnerable people teen mothers, people with disabilities, widows. Water filters, face shields and mental health training carry communities through COVID-19.
2,000+people reached with hygiene support -
2021
Scaling impact
From relief to livelihoods
20 Sawyer water filters placed in schools and health centres. 32 women trained in liquid soap businesses. Cholera prevention work reaches more than 1,800 people.
32women trained in soap enterprise1,800+reached through cholera prevention -
2022
WASH consultancy formalised
GBV prevention is integrated into the Ziranumbu Hub, and the Youth Leadership pillar strengthens through new regional partnerships.
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2023
Advocacy & growth
A seat at the national table
A World Water Day dialogue brings together 120 stakeholders and airs on national television. 223 teen mothers are empowered through tailoring and reproductive health education.
120stakeholders in national dialogue223teen mothers empowered
Planning sessions behind the scale-up -
2024
Digital transformation
Building for what's next
The website launches. JENGA JAMAA a USD 1.6M programme for 2026–2028 is fully designed. The AI Lab for Refugees concept takes shape, and international partnerships deepen.
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2025
Consultancy scale-up
Five cohorts, five settlements
Through the AYAN partnership, more than 200 entrepreneurs are trained across five locations: Kampala, Rhino Camp, Kyaka II, Kiryandongo and Kyangwali.
200+entrepreneurs trained5settlements reached
Kiryandongo settlement · AYAN Kampala cohort -
16 Apr 2026
MHALI Phase 1 launched
28 people, six nations, one room
Psychological First Aid training led by Dr. Simon Peter Opinyo brings together 28 participants from six nations at the Ziranumbu Hub the first formal MHPSS event under JENGA JAMAA.
28participants6nations represented
MHALI Phase 1, Ziranumbu Hub -
April-May 2026
Africa CDC MHLP · KMTC Nairobi
Learning that feeds straight back in
Lessons from the Africa CDC Mental Health Leadership Programme are applied directly to MHALI Phase 2 and to the MHPSS architecture being built into JENGA JAMAA.
Stressor mapping, plenary to breakout
The next chapter
Twelve years in, the work is only getting more precise.
JENGA JAMAA carries this journey into 2028: five pillars, one hub, and the same conviction that started it in Fizi Territory: communities know what they need, and they deserve partners who stay.