Projects & Programs
What we do at Dongriin Foundation
MENTORSHIP
We believe in the power of mentorship to transform lives and shape a brighter future. We aim to empower and support students, especially girls, in their educational journeys. Our mentors serve as role models fostering a safe space for students to discuss challenges, explore interests and nurture talents. They offer academic support, career guidance and personal development insights through sharing their stories and one-on-one mentorship. Many of our mentors are current university students and graduates.
Approach
One-on-One Mentorship
Students are paired with dedicated mentors who engage in meetings to discuss challenges, set goals and explore opportunities. This is essential for high school and post-secondary students.
Academic Support
Some of our mentors are tutors who assist students with academic studies, clarify concepts and offer guidance on study techniques and time management.
Youth Engagement
Mentees are encouraged to actively engage in community service projects, volunteering at local schools. We aim to promote social responsibility and create a sense of belonging.
School Outreaches
We organize general mentorship at different schools annually within the refugee camps. We also distribute educational resources such as exercise books, stationery and age-appropriate reading materials during our school outreaches.
DONGRIIN LIBRARY
We aim to establish a comprehensive library within the refugee camp to address the lack of access to quality books and educational resources. This project will provide students, teachers and community members with a welcoming space filled with educational materials suitable for all ages and interests. We aim to promote a love for reading and learning, foster personal growth and support educational initiatives.
Approach
Library Setup
We will create a dedicated space equipped with a diverse collection of books catering to different age groups and interests
Book pooling
We will continuously engage the community, educators and volunteers in acquiring and curating books
Reading programs
We will organize reading clubs at different schools that the library serves to promote a love for reading and literature among students.
Reads of the Year
The department of Dongriin Library challenges Dongriinians and Dongriinees to read chosen non-academic books a year, a culture that existed among the co-founders.
BURSARIES AND SCHOLARSHIPS
Through lobbying for bursaries and sponsorships and with the ultimate goal of offering scholarships, we strive to break down financial barriers and empower students to pursue their educational needs. We collaborate with organizations, institutions and individuals to secure sponsorships and bursaries. Still, we aspire to establish our own sustainable scholarship fund within the foundation with support from our partners and donors.
Approach
Lobbying and advocacy
Creating Awareness of Opportunities and Resources
Application Assistance
Impact Monitoring and Evaluation:
We take care of Dongriinees under our custody and offer mentorship & support at all stages, including being available for visitation days for high school students.
HER CHANCE
Supporting Girl-Children is a cornerstone of our work at DF. We dedicate “Her Chance” to advocating and empowering girls in the refugee camp and beyond. Girls in our communities face gender inequality, limited health and hygiene services and limited access to education. We aim to provide girls with the necessary tools, support and opportunities to thrive.
Approach
Girl-to-Girl Mentorship.
Community Awareness Campaigns and Advocacy.
Leadership Training and Involvement
Health and Hygiene Support
FRIENDS AWARDS
Every year, starting in 2023, we offered Six awards to the best girl and boy at the “Primary Leaving Examination,” “Uganda Certificate of Education,” and “Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education.” These awards go to the pupils and students who sit their national examinations in the settlements. The prize each student receives varies every year. The Friends Awards are in honour of the spirit of Dongriinism and friendship among the members of Dongriin Foundation. The funding comes from the Dongriinians, who aim to instil the principle of looking after one another as students despite one’s background.
Approach
Monetary Awards
Scholastic gifts
Mentorship
HAVEN of HOPE
Haven of Hope, a project of Dongriin Foundation, supports refugee students in select refugee camps in Northern Uganda by providing essential mental health education and self-care strategies. In collaboration with nursing and medical students in Canada and Africa, alongside a camp representative and trained camp peer mentors, the project equips students with tools to manage pressing mental health issues, fostering resilience and reducing stigma. Through workshops and peer support, students learn mindfulness and stress management, promoting mental health literacy while ensuring ongoing access to resources via Dongriin Library for both personal growth and academic success.
Haven of Hope program Leaders
GOALS of HoH
Mental Health Education
The primary goal of Haven of Hope is to empower refugee students with knowledge about mental health, helping them recognize the importance of emotional well-being and providing them with practical tools to cope with stress, anxiety, and trauma. By fostering resilience and promoting mental health literacy, the project aims to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues in refugee communities.
Practical Workshops on Fight againts PTSD
Team leads share mental health information with trained mentors in the refugee camps. These mentors will then organize practical workshops, where students will learn to identify and manage common issues like depression, anxiety, and PTSD. The workshops will also include small group discussions to encourage open dialogue, helping to reduce the stigma around mental health. Safe spaces will be created where students can openly share their experiences, ask questions, and access peer support, making the sessions both informative and interactive.
Stress and Emotional Support
The program offers practical strategies for managing stress and emotional challenges, tailored to every-day problems faced by the refugees. Through mentor-led sessions and collaborations with medical students and graduate students, students will learn relaxation techniques, mindfulness practices, and other coping mechanisms that can be applied in their daily lives.
Access to Materials on Mental Health
Haven of Hope also provides access to educational materials on mental health, with long-term plans to integrate mental health literature into Dongriin Library. This will allow students and the wider community to access relevant books and resources that foster mental health awareness and self-care practices.
Personal Development
By addressing the mental health needs of refugee students, Haven of Hope will not only contribute to their personal development but also help them thrive academically and socially. Empowering these students with the knowledge and tools to manage their mental health is a critical step in fostering a healthier, more resilient refugee community.
This initiative aligns with Dongriin Foundation’s broader mission to provide transformative education and support for refugees, ensuring that the members of this community have the resources they need to succeed.
PUBLICATIONS
We strongly encourage Personal development and discipline as core principles at Dongriin Foundation. Annually, Dongriin Library chooses two non-academic books that Dongriinians and Dongriinees binge on. This is to instil the reading culture in our communities and foster reading as a habit. Every Dongriinian is a bookworm. Read with Us.