https://marijosilvaphotography.com Mariajose Silva Vargas Tue, 17 Jun 2025 15:03:55 +0000 https://marijosilvaphotography.com en https://marijosilvaphotography.com/Home-Page Thu, 11 Apr 2019 12:43:30 +0000 Mariajose Silva Vargas https://marijosilvaphotography.com/Home-Page https://marijosilvaphotography.com/Academic-profile-Mariajose-Silva-Vargas Mon, 07 Oct 2019 19:59:22 +0000 Mariajose Silva Vargas https://marijosilvaphotography.com/Academic-profile-Mariajose-Silva-Vargas <img width="2967" height="3709" width_o="2967" height_o="3709" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/408acae7eaa2b3ed3f399ef712aed839eaabb22aed6f03ee6b27d0d801113925/SilvaVargas_portrait_vertical.jpg" data-mid="241448961" border="0" data-scale="50" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/408acae7eaa2b3ed3f399ef712aed839eaabb22aed6f03ee6b27d0d801113925/SilvaVargas_portrait_vertical.jpg" /> Academic profile - Mariajose Silva-Vargas I work at the intersection of research, public policy and science communication&nbsp;at J-PAL Europe and I am a post-doctoral researcher at LISER. I obtained my PhD at the School of Business and Economics at Maastricht University with the thesis: “Beyond Boundaries: Integrating Refugees and Consolidating Farmland. Essays in Experimental and Development Economics”. I am also Co-Founder of BOWEN - Bolivian Women in Economics Network. I was a Robert S. McNamara Fellow at DIME - World Bank in 2021-2022. I have visited the IIES - Stockholm University for several periods between 2018-2022. In the fall semester 2019 I visited the Global Poverty Research Lab at Northwestern University.&nbsp; Previously, I worked in Uganda and Tanzania managing impact evaluations for the World Bank &amp; Innovations for Poverty Action. Also, I conducted a research study in the Ivory Coast on an UN IFAD's program related to ex-combatants reintegration through agriculture.&nbsp; I am proudly Bolivian and naturalised-Italian citizen. Full CV here and research here&nbsp; For my photography website, visit here Contacts: Email: msilvavargas @ povertyactionlab.org Instagram: marijo.silva.vargas https://marijosilvaphotography.com/Academic-CV Thu, 07 Nov 2019 20:19:54 +0000 Mariajose Silva Vargas https://marijosilvaphotography.com/Academic-CV <img width="2500" height="1771" width_o="2500" height_o="1771" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/2cdd58e9b61828ea771345d971f480366624c089482d019fb80449700d402a09/IMG_6485_s.jpg" data-mid="88827836" border="0" data-scale="77" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/2cdd58e9b61828ea771345d971f480366624c089482d019fb80449700d402a09/IMG_6485_s.jpg" /> Curriculum Vitae &nbsp; https://marijosilvaphotography.com/Research-Grants Fri, 13 Dec 2019 23:32:52 +0000 Mariajose Silva Vargas https://marijosilvaphotography.com/Research-Grants Work in progress Market Design for Land Trade: Evidence from Uganda and Kenya [Slides] [Latest version] with Gharad Bryan (London School of Economics), Jonathan de Quidt (Queen Mary of London) and Tom Wilkening (Melbourne University) <img width="2500" height="1667" width_o="2500" height_o="1667" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/6af5df62118cd42c38452f43b89e98159917be92b8af2fb5dbb9e87c3bc9ee33/IMG_6057-Enhanced-NRb.jpg" data-mid="206649014" border="0" data-scale="87" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/6af5df62118cd42c38452f43b89e98159917be92b8af2fb5dbb9e87c3bc9ee33/IMG_6057-Enhanced-NRb.jpg" />Explaining the land trade game in Masaka ©Mariajose Silva-Vargas Matching with the right attitude: the effect of matching firms with refugee workers [Latest version][IPA blog, VoxDev]&nbsp;[Photo Story] with Francesco Loiacono (EBRD) <img width="2500" height="1660" width_o="2500" height_o="1660" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/078070086a2a624e6a2fda2ff55dc616a95cb006468e67c1b2de4e3bae382097/IMG_9823.jpg" data-mid="141929304" border="0" data-scale="88" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/078070086a2a624e6a2fda2ff55dc616a95cb006468e67c1b2de4e3bae382097/IMG_9823.jpg" />Tailoring test as part of the research©Mariajose Silva-Vargas Contact in the Workplace and Social Cohesion: Experimental Evidence from Uganda [Latest version]&nbsp;[Photo Story] with Francesco Loiacono (EBRD) <img width="2500" height="1676" width_o="2500" height_o="1676" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/e4e38057079f6f33d11ac19b718009913de17dff72b10827f3d1c02433505c41/IMG_0400d_signed.jpg" data-mid="141929106" border="0" data-scale="89" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/e4e38057079f6f33d11ac19b718009913de17dff72b10827f3d1c02433505c41/IMG_0400d_signed.jpg" />Mariam and Sifa working together as a result of the research ©Mariajose Silva-Vargas FAME – Female Access to Male-dominated Employment [Data collection ongoing]with Gharad Bryan (London School of Economics), Jonathan de Quidt (Queen Mary of London),&nbsp; Marie Christelle Mabeu (Toronto Metropolitan University), and Celine Zipfel (Stockholm School of Economics) <img width="1512" height="1080" width_o="1512" height_o="1080" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/f7a4f2de2b9cb74aad92b2e5b39455b1c08b21e6f67b8c3227608574c978d9b1/IMG_1134.jpg" data-mid="233285580" border="0" data-scale="92" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/f7a4f2de2b9cb74aad92b2e5b39455b1c08b21e6f67b8c3227608574c978d9b1/IMG_1134.jpg" />ASAFIN mechanics teacher ©Mariajose Silva-Vargas Enhancing the Integration of Vulnerable Refugees in Luxembourg: Findings from a Randomized Controlled Trial (IDEALUX) [Data collection ongoing]with Martín Fernández-Sanchez (LISER),&nbsp; Mounir Karadja (Uppsala University), Akib Khan (Stockholm School of Economics). Other Pairing photography and research for social change, interview 2023 Vocational Training Programmes in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Insights from Experimental Studies, LISER Policy Brief 2023 The World Bank Development Impact Blog turns 10: we celebrate with a new logo! *Photography and logo by Mariajose Silva-VargasWe Need More Respectful and Inclusive Experiments in Development Economics: A Proposal. PromarketUganda’s Nakivale Refugee Camp: Notes from our PhD fieldwork, UNU-MeritInterview on research grants and fieldwork, UNU-MeritImproving access to labour markets for refugees, Evidence from Uganda IGC Policy brief &amp; Report Selected Grants Luxembourg Ministry of Foreign Affairs research grant 2023J-PAL@20 Photo Project Grant 2023J-PAL&nbsp; Jobs and Opportunity Initiative (Pilot Project) - 2020Private Enterprise Development in Low-Income Countries (PEDL) - Exploratory Grant, 2020Peace and Recovery Programme (Full Grant) - Innovations for Poverty Action, 2020Peace and Recovery Programme (Exploratory Grant) - Innovations for Poverty Action, 2018 Small Projects - International Growth Centre (IGC), 2018 United Nations University PhD Fellowship, 2017-2020 https://marijosilvaphotography.com/Yhdessa-Together-Inclusion-and-Friendship-in-Finnish-Schools Tue, 17 Jun 2025 15:03:55 +0000 Mariajose Silva Vargas https://marijosilvaphotography.com/Yhdessa-Together-Inclusion-and-Friendship-in-Finnish-Schools Yhdessä (Together). Inclusion and Friendship in Finnish Schools J-PAL Photo ProjectOriginally published on the J-PAL website here <img width="2000" height="3000" width_o="2000" height_o="3000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/aa14649be1b7eafb6f5eb895a44c2f92c4ce498b8d384872efb4d342fc92d585/IMG_1206.jpg" data-mid="234698959" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/aa14649be1b7eafb6f5eb895a44c2f92c4ce498b8d384872efb4d342fc92d585/IMG_1206.jpg" /> As global migration increases due to war, economic instability, and climate change, cities like Helsinki are becoming more diverse, with nearly one in five residents now speaking a foreign language at home. This shift brings both richness and challenges, especially for children of immigrants navigating questions of identity in schools. The Kytke program, led by Finnish NGO Walter, addresses these issues through workshops that connect students with diverse mentors to promote dialogue around inclusion and discrimination. &nbsp;Taken in Helsinki in March 2024, this photo series captures the Kytke workshops in action, highlighting moments of interaction between students and mentors.&nbsp;The project is currently being evaluated by researchers from Harvard University and Aalto University as part of an impact evaluation funded by J-PAL -- a global research and policy lab co-founded by Nobel Prize laureates. Full story and pictures in the J-PAL website. <img width="2000" height="3000" width_o="2000" height_o="3000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/eca217283a15b042ff05888fd18d7f480395d2dadff203a2d5e5ffbaf2a7bbe5/IMG_1201.jpg" data-mid="234699099" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/eca217283a15b042ff05888fd18d7f480395d2dadff203a2d5e5ffbaf2a7bbe5/IMG_1201.jpg" /> <img width="3362" height="4204" width_o="3362" height_o="4204" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/3cc978f07a1199fe925ee030fa56f130762581c7868fb22d4d59be0ffd1849e4/IMG_1375_cropped.jpg" data-mid="234699145" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/3cc978f07a1199fe925ee030fa56f130762581c7868fb22d4d59be0ffd1849e4/IMG_1375_cropped.jpg" /> <img width="2500" height="1666" width_o="2500" height_o="1666" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/077ccfd93c76bbe78804fed18780e66792b76286b8906d4047a6cf78fc6cd0b8/IMG_1218.jpg" data-mid="234699140" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/077ccfd93c76bbe78804fed18780e66792b76286b8906d4047a6cf78fc6cd0b8/IMG_1218.jpg" /> <img width="3000" height="2000" width_o="3000" height_o="2000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/b8f267cef0cbf6ed78c0361388417690195032294e0fed94fd9622b54192e3a5/IMG_1472-2.jpg" data-mid="234699198" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/b8f267cef0cbf6ed78c0361388417690195032294e0fed94fd9622b54192e3a5/IMG_1472-2.jpg" /> <img width="3000" height="2000" width_o="3000" height_o="2000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/527f151dcf3f8f89ad7fe8f0253c30080d0aeada36dd18891859752789776b71/IMG_1383-2b.jpg" data-mid="234699185" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/527f151dcf3f8f89ad7fe8f0253c30080d0aeada36dd18891859752789776b71/IMG_1383-2b.jpg" /> <img width="3000" height="2000" width_o="3000" height_o="2000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/6e9f72bf01c475385974a1d7b0e771275779a12c8992d01e4358e2940e077fd2/IMG_1459.jpg" data-mid="234699197" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/6e9f72bf01c475385974a1d7b0e771275779a12c8992d01e4358e2940e077fd2/IMG_1459.jpg" /> <img width="3000" height="2000" width_o="3000" height_o="2000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/0c8f632991673f2f0f9400f6a7c3ac61aed033e0328c5ce9abd2351764bf6547/IMG_1388.jpg" data-mid="234699186" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/0c8f632991673f2f0f9400f6a7c3ac61aed033e0328c5ce9abd2351764bf6547/IMG_1388.jpg" /> <img width="3000" height="2000" width_o="3000" height_o="2000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/2b19e6547350601dca63fa3325a336e743bf90c181a02d31417098c10c14a4db/IMG_1312.jpg" data-mid="234699174" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/2b19e6547350601dca63fa3325a336e743bf90c181a02d31417098c10c14a4db/IMG_1312.jpg" /> <img width="3000" height="2000" width_o="3000" height_o="2000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/0b0c8a9a14c39a39c6d66cb81e8c7a357d0409fd043cbe8ca58870ab29c7f53c/IMG_1659.jpg" data-mid="234699171" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/0b0c8a9a14c39a39c6d66cb81e8c7a357d0409fd043cbe8ca58870ab29c7f53c/IMG_1659.jpg" /> <img width="3568" height="5352" width_o="3568" height_o="5352" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/d83605b52a87e663533e27b5a90911d8719604dd5938829f6a4468baca20a12c/IMG_1394.jpg" data-mid="234699146" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/d83605b52a87e663533e27b5a90911d8719604dd5938829f6a4468baca20a12c/IMG_1394.jpg" /> <img width="2000" height="3000" width_o="2000" height_o="3000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/52f3152d80195a31d2a1493ad60ab818f324e96117656dc61b5f445402463046/IMG_1609.jpg" data-mid="234699240" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/52f3152d80195a31d2a1493ad60ab818f324e96117656dc61b5f445402463046/IMG_1609.jpg" /> <img width="1999" height="3000" width_o="1999" height_o="3000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/8d61f886288848197128018de593b24e8dcde8d192a13ea7ff56492e9e59ba4c/IMG_1496b.jpg" data-mid="234699239" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/8d61f886288848197128018de593b24e8dcde8d192a13ea7ff56492e9e59ba4c/IMG_1496b.jpg" /> <img width="3000" height="2000" width_o="3000" height_o="2000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/68b1cac325a54ac543f968204b8c861a8a891fa9f65edd111e557a37b0523354/IMG_1306.jpg" data-mid="234699144" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/68b1cac325a54ac543f968204b8c861a8a891fa9f65edd111e557a37b0523354/IMG_1306.jpg" /> <img width="2400" height="3000" width_o="2400" height_o="3000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/23ba9e398074b945cb173884169f8e4acc8f9b93916f02e4828df00f63cfc142/IMG_1421b.jpg" data-mid="234699384" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/23ba9e398074b945cb173884169f8e4acc8f9b93916f02e4828df00f63cfc142/IMG_1421b.jpg" /> <img width="3000" height="2143" width_o="3000" height_o="2143" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/c6c0c0b72a44175e7ba49f6c83a3275f3cbf9964cf53ed01703f41503c63a992/IMG_1288-2.jpg" data-mid="234699396" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/c6c0c0b72a44175e7ba49f6c83a3275f3cbf9964cf53ed01703f41503c63a992/IMG_1288-2.jpg" /> <img width="3000" height="2000" width_o="3000" height_o="2000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/ed2fc976af74af0a779259e8b4aad38d393331c9011014d239b1d78975c3d6c9/IMG_1485b.jpg" data-mid="234699199" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/ed2fc976af74af0a779259e8b4aad38d393331c9011014d239b1d78975c3d6c9/IMG_1485b.jpg" /> <img width="2500" height="1667" width_o="2500" height_o="1667" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/69f4065520ea5f558cd6f021dd66e49433133955047918e6deb727f4c66f7a7c/IMG_1217_cropped.jpg" data-mid="234699114" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/69f4065520ea5f558cd6f021dd66e49433133955047918e6deb727f4c66f7a7c/IMG_1217_cropped.jpg" /> https://marijosilvaphotography.com/The-journey-of-an-impact-evaluation-project-Socio-economic-integration Thu, 08 Jun 2023 15:51:14 +0000 Mariajose Silva Vargas https://marijosilvaphotography.com/The-journey-of-an-impact-evaluation-project-Socio-economic-integration The journey of an impact evaluation project. Socio-economic integration of refugees in Uganda This photo story takes you through the journey of a Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT) we carried out in Uganda, from its early design and planning stages, through the implementation of the intervention, to its final impact. Our evaluation focused on supporting urban refugees by officially certifying their professional skills and matching them with local firms for short-term work internships. We set out to understand whether this type of programme could improve employment outcomes for refugees, shift firms’ attitudes and willingness to hire refugees in the future, and promote social cohesion between refugees and host community members. All photographs and video were captured by Mariajose Silva-Vargas, one of the researchers behind the project and&nbsp; photographer.&nbsp;The full papers and authors can be found here.&nbsp; Phase 1: The Planning<img width="2000" height="1125" width_o="2000" height_o="1125" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/bf39bc44be0842d9551f3b3a7e6c64e1c10d53bfb0b4666cd82a94112deb814a/IMG_7098.jpg" data-mid="236309789" border="0" data-scale="67" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/bf39bc44be0842d9551f3b3a7e6c64e1c10d53bfb0b4666cd82a94112deb814a/IMG_7098.jpg" /> Nakivale Refugee Settlement, 2019 Our first step in designing the study was to understand the diverse experiences of refugees in Uganda, especially the differences between those living in rural settlements and those in cities. Refugees in settlements like Nakivale often have access to a piece of land and basic services, but are isolated from economic networks and mobility. In contrast, urban refugees face challenges around informality, legal barriers, and social discrimination. <img width="1667" height="2500" width_o="1667" height_o="2500" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/3ec55565f63dcc450c7d82e40b1787a4810fe415f041ba4f004cafca6a85b77f/Pilot_2.jpg" data-mid="236309866" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/3ec55565f63dcc450c7d82e40b1787a4810fe415f041ba4f004cafca6a85b77f/Pilot_2.jpg" /> <img width="2500" height="1667" width_o="2500" height_o="1667" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/59403846f71883b940e066bb583a7044a6ee975b3e3ccbcac0382e9bdeb2bbb5/Pilot_1.jpg" data-mid="236309867" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/59403846f71883b940e066bb583a7044a6ee975b3e3ccbcac0382e9bdeb2bbb5/Pilot_1.jpg" /> Meetting with Adonis from the NGO YAREN at the Kee Bar, Nakivale Refugee Settlement, 2019 During an early scoping visit to Nakivale, we met individuals and organisations who had developed self-reliant livelihoods through farming, trading, and craftwork like Adonis from YAREN. While many had built strong economic networks within the settlement, they remained disconnected from formal employment systems, and few local firms operated in or near the area. These visits helped us gain a deeper understanding of the wider landscape of refugee livelihoods in Uganda. Given our limited budget (a common constraint for project implementers) we had to concentrate our efforts in one specific geographic area. We chose to focus on urban settings like Kampala, where we believed our labour market intervention could have a more immediate and scalable impact.From there, we moved into deeper design and preparation. We conducted focus group discussions, collected descriptive data, and identified key constraints that our intervention could address. Crucially, we collaborated with refugee-led organisations in Kampala such as Young African Refugees for Integral Development (YARID) and Bondeko Refugee Livelihoods Center. Their deep understanding of the refugee experience and the communities they serve helped us shape a programme that was not only feasible, but meaningful. <img width="2500" height="1666" width_o="2500" height_o="1666" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/fdff6265ebe573c3a94384a2cf63bd726c96ee504ebb0159cb4f9a71465bd0b5/SilvaVargas_refugee_integration_Uganda_bondeko.jpg" data-mid="236310196" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/fdff6265ebe573c3a94384a2cf63bd726c96ee504ebb0159cb4f9a71465bd0b5/SilvaVargas_refugee_integration_Uganda_bondeko.jpg" /> <img width="2500" height="1667" width_o="2500" height_o="1667" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/387739ee43a2ce01165f7d10cf1cf36249f062609513c7b3fbdd1b8e16102c40/SilvaVargas_refugee_integration_Uganda.jpg" data-mid="236310197" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/387739ee43a2ce01165f7d10cf1cf36249f062609513c7b3fbdd1b8e16102c40/SilvaVargas_refugee_integration_Uganda.jpg" /> <img width="2500" height="1675" width_o="2500" height_o="1675" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/764c274151a26d69c4a0969e4d1e4a9bd4ba70183d36881e24d18a98314da012/SilvaVargas_refugee_integration_Uganda_bondeko-2.jpg" data-mid="236310202" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/764c274151a26d69c4a0969e4d1e4a9bd4ba70183d36881e24d18a98314da012/SilvaVargas_refugee_integration_Uganda_bondeko-2.jpg" /> Paul (left), founder of Bondeko, and Elvis, a Ugandan team member, partnered with the research team during the RCT design phase. Their local knowledge was vital to shaping a refugee-led employment intervention In particular, our work with Bondeko, an organisation founded by Paul Kithima, a refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo, helped us build strong community ties. Bondeko supports refugees through initiatives such as urban farming, crafts, and energy production, and actively promotes social cohesion between refugees and Ugandan host communities. With input from Paul and Elvis Zani, a Ugandan member of the team, we designed the evaluation and recruited participants in ways that reflected the lived realities of the people we hoped to reach. Our partnership with Bondeko and YARID directly inspired the intervention itself. Their work across both refugee and host communities showed us the potential of combining economic inclusion with social cohesion. Bondeko’s story is also featured in the short documentary we shot during our time with them. Bondeko’s story is also featured in this short documentary that we shot as part of our research project Phase 2: The Intervention DesignFollowing the planning phase, we focused on a set of labour market challenges that many refugees face: limited access to formal employment, difficulty connecting with employers, and the lack of credible and certifiable ways to demonstrate their skills. As part of our intervention, we invited refugee workers to take part in a formal certification process for their existing professional skills. In April 2021, a total of 977 participants were invited to sit for practical exams administered by the Directorate of Industrial Training (DIT) of the Ugandan Government, in collaboration with a vocational institute in Kampala.<img width="2500" height="1839" width_o="2500" height_o="1839" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/9c14b10cdcc05f22bf596b2c40a9c9c5b1c2d7d1ee4e6807dd2d3e33c426cef2/Emmere_medium.jpg" data-mid="182722107" border="0" data-scale="61" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/9c14b10cdcc05f22bf596b2c40a9c9c5b1c2d7d1ee4e6807dd2d3e33c426cef2/Emmere_medium.jpg" />As part of the intervention, refugees undertook formal skills tests, like the participants posing in the picture, who took a cooking exam&nbsp; These exams assessed hands-on skills specific to each trade: hairdressers were asked to style a client’s hair, chefs cooked traditional dishes such as beef stew, and tailors sewed garments like short-sleeved shirts. <img width="2500" height="1666" width_o="2500" height_o="1666" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/bb7c06b842158d910080e8010324183e0fd1fc8c7f33c85642dd6e493f9a770d/IMG_9822.jpg" data-mid="182722110" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/bb7c06b842158d910080e8010324183e0fd1fc8c7f33c85642dd6e493f9a770d/IMG_9822.jpg" /> <img width="2000" height="3000" width_o="2000" height_o="3000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/3e9ec84daf1b3693e83749a0dfb2faad4209d98e3a92fca2bdc8f2a8d31b2b04/SilvaVargas_Loiacono_Refugee_Integration_Uganda.jpg" data-mid="236311907" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/3e9ec84daf1b3693e83749a0dfb2faad4209d98e3a92fca2bdc8f2a8d31b2b04/SilvaVargas_Loiacono_Refugee_Integration_Uganda.jpg" /> <img width="2000" height="3000" width_o="2000" height_o="3000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/bc271e24e49c2625da2f1a516b96a4be769b0e563ef3061df6005f2af15c639e/SilvaVargas_Loiacono_Refugee_Integration_Uganda-2.jpg" data-mid="236311908" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/bc271e24e49c2625da2f1a516b96a4be769b0e563ef3061df6005f2af15c639e/SilvaVargas_Loiacono_Refugee_Integration_Uganda-2.jpg" /> More details on the cooking skills test <img width="1667" height="2500" width_o="1667" height_o="2500" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/8e05efc92bbb6846d0a41e83eb4b4d55335a4bd105e28de7c6ce00e860f4c914/IMG_9779.jpg" data-mid="182722108" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/8e05efc92bbb6846d0a41e83eb4b4d55335a4bd105e28de7c6ce00e860f4c914/IMG_9779.jpg" /> <img width="2500" height="1667" width_o="2500" height_o="1667" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/0c2b371c938733b5b7537416daf282404da71a2507b3660a54a12f4fa6edac17/IMG_9823.jpg" data-mid="182722112" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/0c2b371c938733b5b7537416daf282404da71a2507b3660a54a12f4fa6edac17/IMG_9823.jpg" /> A tailoring exam under the RCT intervention allowed refugees to demonstrate and certify their skills, helping assess the value of official recognition for employment outcomes After certification, we randomly selected a group of certified refugees to take part in a one-week internship with local firms. This random assignment allowed us to rigorously compare outcomes between those who received internships and those who did not, giving us a clear picture of the programme’s impact, before scaling up. <img width="3000" height="2000" width_o="3000" height_o="2000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/f45c2717cfeedd5dbeb58fc764003524f11cd134cf6bd755505211609cb8c464/SilvaVargas_Loiacono_Refugee_Integration_Uganda-3.jpg" data-mid="236312011" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/f45c2717cfeedd5dbeb58fc764003524f11cd134cf6bd755505211609cb8c464/SilvaVargas_Loiacono_Refugee_Integration_Uganda-3.jpg" /> <img width="3000" height="2000" width_o="3000" height_o="2000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/83d337d54ede376902964f283a1586aa1d61fcdb444404a48dea3bfafa924fbd/SilvaVargas_Loiacono_Refugee_Integration_Uganda-4.jpg" data-mid="236312010" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/83d337d54ede376902964f283a1586aa1d61fcdb444404a48dea3bfafa924fbd/SilvaVargas_Loiacono_Refugee_Integration_Uganda-4.jpg" /> Participants during the hairdressing skills test Phase 3: The ImpactIn our results, we found that even a brief, one-week internship could significantly shift employers’ hiring decisions and attitudes. Firms that hosted refugee interns became more than twice as likely to hire refugees in the future, and many reported more positive perceptions of refugee workers. We also explored whether workplace contact could improve social cohesion. We found that after working together, both refugee and Ugandan employees reduced their explicit biases toward one another. Moreover, both groups became more open to economic collaboration, though in different ways: Ugandan workers expressed greater interest in having refugee business partners, while refugees became more willing to work for Ugandan firms. <img width="2500" height="1667" width_o="2500" height_o="1667" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/0b8a8936fdc0b0115c75cf667e612ddc310bc1317550576c5abed548e2d4d016/IMG_0400.jpg" data-mid="182722493" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/0b8a8936fdc0b0115c75cf667e612ddc310bc1317550576c5abed548e2d4d016/IMG_0400.jpg" /> <img width="2500" height="1667" width_o="2500" height_o="1667" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/45c9e7562d90e17144bd5241831e00062db29be94b10942792ad8e4a187c6e53/IMG_0374.jpg" data-mid="182722492" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/45c9e7562d90e17144bd5241831e00062db29be94b10942792ad8e4a187c6e53/IMG_0374.jpg" /> Sifa, a refugee, was assigned a one-week internship with Mariam’s salon through the RCT. This short intervention led to lasting employment, illustrating how workplace exposure can shift hiring practices and reduce bias The story highlights one personal story that illustrates the impact of the programme. Sifa, a refugee, was randomly placed at an internship with “Mama Prince,” a hair salon in Kampala owned by Mariam. That short placement turned into a lasting partnership. Sifa continued working at the salon long after the programme ended.A quiet but powerful example of what becomes possible when barriers are removed and opportunities shared. <img width="2000" height="3000" width_o="2000" height_o="3000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/25f2376bcbbe64be912fee54522a66f42b602a12653256ef02d62d8f0125c2e1/Silva_Vargas_refugee_integration-Uganda-1.jpg" data-mid="236312022" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/25f2376bcbbe64be912fee54522a66f42b602a12653256ef02d62d8f0125c2e1/Silva_Vargas_refugee_integration-Uganda-1.jpg" /> <img width="3000" height="2000" width_o="3000" height_o="2000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/5a4c8de9bd9c3e68b2cda62332bc19eb1935c06143f990e77bb804edb613c88c/Silva_Vargas_refugee_integration-Uganda.jpg" data-mid="236312023" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/5a4c8de9bd9c3e68b2cda62332bc19eb1935c06143f990e77bb804edb613c88c/Silva_Vargas_refugee_integration-Uganda.jpg" /> Mama Prince Hair Saloon in Kampala. One of the firms that hired a refugee participant, as part of the research project. Their collaboration continued even after the research ended. A quiet but powerful example of what becomes possible when barriers are removed and opportunities shared *** This photo story was shown at Collège de France in Paris, 22-23 June 2023, within the conference: "Science and the Fight against Poverty: How Far Have We Come in 20 Years and What's Next?" hosted by J-PAL Europe. *** The research project was co-authored with Francesco Loiacono. It was funded by JPAL Jobs Opportunity Initative, IPA’s Peace &amp; Recovery Fund, PEDL, SurveyCTO, the Mannerfelt and the Siamon Foundations. The full papers and authors can be found here.&nbsp; ︎: marijo.silva.vargas&nbsp; <img width="2500" height="1895" width_o="2500" height_o="1895" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/9681afc68d7cc9c0891931160d72e991572b95d7a80346052fff8b4cc16dccd2/Marijo_Silva_Photography_Uganda.jpg" data-mid="236313433" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/9681afc68d7cc9c0891931160d72e991572b95d7a80346052fff8b4cc16dccd2/Marijo_Silva_Photography_Uganda.jpg" />Some behind-the-scenes at Bondeko https://marijosilvaphotography.com/Nakivale-Refugee-Settlement-and-its-settlers Sun, 19 May 2019 12:37:08 +0000 Mariajose Silva Vargas https://marijosilvaphotography.com/Nakivale-Refugee-Settlement-and-its-settlers Nakivale Refugee Settlement and its settlers Uganda, May 2019 Uganda’s refugee policy is praised worldwide as it is different from other hosting countries: refugees can stay in settlements or they can decide to move to a city. In both cases, they can seek employment anywhere. Yet, only in the first scenario they receive humanitarian assistance and a piece of land to farm.&nbsp;<img width="2000" height="1125" width_o="2000" height_o="1125" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/bf39bc44be0842d9551f3b3a7e6c64e1c10d53bfb0b4666cd82a94112deb814a/IMG_7098.jpg" data-mid="206780918" border="0" data-scale="86" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/bf39bc44be0842d9551f3b3a7e6c64e1c10d53bfb0b4666cd82a94112deb814a/IMG_7098.jpg" />Promise Hub amphitheatre - Nakivale Nakivale refugee settlement, approximately 200 km away from Kampala, is one of the oldest settlements in the country. It currently hosts 119,587 refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Somalia, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Eritrea (and others). Although many refugees in the area have been living there for several years, recent conflicts in nearby countries are increasing the number of arrivals per day.&nbsp;<img width="2500" height="1667" width_o="2500" height_o="1667" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/59403846f71883b940e066bb583a7044a6ee975b3e3ccbcac0382e9bdeb2bbb5/Pilot_1.jpg" data-mid="189806364" border="0" data-scale="58" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/59403846f71883b940e066bb583a7044a6ee975b3e3ccbcac0382e9bdeb2bbb5/Pilot_1.jpg" /> &nbsp;<img width="1667" height="2500" width_o="1667" height_o="2500" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/3ec55565f63dcc450c7d82e40b1787a4810fe415f041ba4f004cafca6a85b77f/Pilot_2.jpg" data-mid="189806365" border="0" data-scale="26" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/3ec55565f63dcc450c7d82e40b1787a4810fe415f041ba4f004cafca6a85b77f/Pilot_2.jpg" /> &nbsp; &nbsp; At Kee Bar, a restaurant run by Ethiopian Refugees, with&nbsp;Adonis Mushongole Muganuzi In May 2019, as part of my PhD research project on refugee youth integration in the Ugandan labour market, my colleague, our research team and I stayed in Nakivale for a week to collect data. During this time, we collaborated with several leaders within the settlement. One of them was Adonis Mushongole Muganuzi, the founder of YAREN – the Young African Refugees Entrepreneurs Network - an organization whose purpose is to give skills to refugees, focusing on leadership, entrepreneurship and behavioural change.When asked about aid and land in the settlement, the leaders have little doubt: aid is often not enough, land is frequently far or un-productive, and the closest training centre - funded by the UNHCR and other governmental agencies - is 1 hour away by foot from the settlement. <img width="1944" height="2500" width_o="1944" height_o="2500" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/fc6d7a97dda75b1a05554ef557d2b2502217f7ea76178531559b3ac7c263b614/Pilot_3.jpg" data-mid="189806366" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/fc6d7a97dda75b1a05554ef557d2b2502217f7ea76178531559b3ac7c263b614/Pilot_3.jpg" /> Ahmed Dahir, a Somali leader in NakivaleWhile in the settlement, Adonis from YAREN asked our team to give a training. We agreed to talk about excel and budgeting. On the training day we saw many participants from different grassroots organisations that wanted to learn more about funding and budgeting for their own enterprises.During this event we realised that within the settlement there are many small grassroots organisations that focus on promoting entrepreneurship and empowerment between refugees. Even if they are all part of the same network, they remain independent and sometimes small. &nbsp; <img width="2000" height="2500" width_o="2000" height_o="2500" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/35e951a42f2c029cb00a06a4968f8b6c67cbca3b3f97d5457090eb7cc99a3b9b/IMG_7127-Enhanced-NR.jpg" data-mid="206783262" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/35e951a42f2c029cb00a06a4968f8b6c67cbca3b3f97d5457090eb7cc99a3b9b/IMG_7127-Enhanced-NR.jpg" /> <img width="2500" height="1667" width_o="2500" height_o="1667" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/337811d9c346c5ce1ee57275907b70cdbcfab8e179ccaf4c510525421d70230d/IMG_7141.jpg" data-mid="206782779" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/337811d9c346c5ce1ee57275907b70cdbcfab8e179ccaf4c510525421d70230d/IMG_7141.jpg" /> Computer and budgeting trainingApart from the training’s participants, we also met members of Opportunigee and Promise Hub. These are self-organized empowerment and social entrepreneurship hubs formed by young scholars. Their main purpose is to generate digitally-enabled businesses that create jobs on a local scale and impact on a global scale. <img width="2500" height="1667" width_o="2500" height_o="1667" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/b710ba0a1ae817bb9527be7f78f062cf4575a23c16b2c69fe8826abda752a90f/IMG_7072_c.jpg" data-mid="206780924" border="0" data-scale="86" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/b710ba0a1ae817bb9527be7f78f062cf4575a23c16b2c69fe8826abda752a90f/IMG_7072_c.jpg" /> Scholar of Opportunigee&nbsp;These hubs want to link Nakivale’s entrepreneurs to the international market. They provide them with tools and resources to use the internet and to connect with companies such as DHL. Just last month, Promise Hub inaugurated their sustainable headquearters in Nakivale: a residence built entirely with plastic bottles. <img width="2500" height="1667" width_o="2500" height_o="1667" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/b5af9a96d9de85623dcb3d9177ae56850c9921f31f08531dc95eac5478e3578d/IMG_7087.jpg" data-mid="206783772" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/b5af9a96d9de85623dcb3d9177ae56850c9921f31f08531dc95eac5478e3578d/IMG_7087.jpg" /> <img width="2000" height="2500" width_o="2000" height_o="2500" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/c534ce9f2b933dd902a56830553981f4712ad39fd9a3e529e3682e67968768ef/IMG_7070-2.jpg" data-mid="206783773" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/c534ce9f2b933dd902a56830553981f4712ad39fd9a3e529e3682e67968768ef/IMG_7070-2.jpg" /> Promise Hub headquarters built with plastic bottles So, why so many grassroots organisations and why they promote entrepreneurship so much? The first answer is lack of jobs inside the settlement. Although Nakivale has been described as a full economy, survey data we collected plus extensive qualitative interviews seem to contradict this view (more on our research project soon). Another important reason is that Nakivale is quite isolated from nearest towns, and transportation costs are high. Plus, lack of connections with the national labour market and information on how it works, limit refugees from looking jobs outside the settlement, even if the policy allows them to do so. <img width="2500" height="1414" width_o="2500" height_o="1414" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/ddd411605775c78348ee61cf588d330597fe5a00f3026db61d680bb65084801c/Pilot_4.jpg" data-mid="189806367" border="0" data-scale="86" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/ddd411605775c78348ee61cf588d330597fe5a00f3026db61d680bb65084801c/Pilot_4.jpg" /> A Somali hotel re-using the UNHCR tents as walls. We left the settlement with many questions but one certainty: governmental agencies and international organisations that are in charge of the refugee response in Uganda should go to these settlements, sit with these leaders and organisations and listen to their suggestions. They know what is happening inside the settlements and what could be done to improve them. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ All the people portrayed in these pictures have given consent to be published online https://marijosilvaphotography.com/East-Coast-Boxing-Club-between-prayers-and-gloves Sat, 09 Jul 2016 09:24:08 +0000 Mariajose Silva Vargas https://marijosilvaphotography.com/East-Coast-Boxing-Club-between-prayers-and-gloves East Coast - Naguru Boxing Club Entering from the brand new gate, the small slope of rocks and dust falls not too gently to the house of Hassan Khalil, the head coach, "baaba" (father in Luganda) in the slum of Naguru, north-west of Kampala, the capital of Uganda. Attached to the house, modest, there is the gym, old, small too, but full of energy. <img width="1333" height="2000" width_o="1333" height_o="2000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/9918be1be80aa3f338c3b4abc62ff18dffc2e605b4d464c90a1e9db68dc11ec4/IMG_4472-Enhanced-NR.jpg" data-mid="206798517" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/9918be1be80aa3f338c3b4abc62ff18dffc2e605b4d464c90a1e9db68dc11ec4/IMG_4472-Enhanced-NR.jpg" /> Hassan Khalil, "baaba" Feel the rope faster and faster whipping the old parquet, where wood sometimes falls under the feet of the athlete. Nassir, among the champions at the National Open Boxing (prelude to the Olympics) jumps faster in front of the broken mirror that covers one of the walls of the gym. <img width="3592" height="2395" width_o="3592" height_o="2395" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/5a68cc8edc50fc974eeb6eba09a6ebcedcd4cc38a54f290ca2552c85ee2237bf/IMG_4442-copy.png" data-mid="202366956" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/5a68cc8edc50fc974eeb6eba09a6ebcedcd4cc38a54f290ca2552c85ee2237bf/IMG_4442-copy.png" /> Nassir's training Sweat leaves a brilliant track on Mohammed’s muscles, while coaching the "bazungu" (white people) mad about this sport. Meanwhile Miro - who is grandson to Hassan’s twin brother, Hussein - crashes his punches against one of the consumed boxing bags, which hangs from the beam fixed with rusty screws at the gym's entrance. <img width="2500" height="1667" width_o="2500" height_o="1667" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/23867ddea8c616cdec1d486324e9f33cf4171c1dfdb0035f386aeec93392ff51/IMG_4507b.jpg" data-mid="206803784" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/23867ddea8c616cdec1d486324e9f33cf4171c1dfdb0035f386aeec93392ff51/IMG_4507b.jpg" /> Miro At the same time, Hakim teaches the basic movements to the many foreigners in Kampala, lovers of the freedom and flexibility of this sport (there are around 40 non-Ugandans who train regularly every week). Albert and Charles are sparring with other kids from the slum, while Farouk and Timo alternate with Shadir, who dodges and hits fast while preparing for the next fight. Kassim, down the hall, with its slender, incredibly strong and firm arms, keeps his pads high, while a Canadian girl and a Ugandan one exchange their positions among jebs and rights. &nbsp; &nbsp; <img width="2592" height="3544" width_o="2592" height_o="3544" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/832a1f39de545388ff2c53ea9ba8fe50c7d191fda3444d146e365d26476e6b25/IMG_4409.png" data-mid="202366957" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/832a1f39de545388ff2c53ea9ba8fe50c7d191fda3444d146e365d26476e6b25/IMG_4409.png" />&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Founded fourteen years ago, the gym serves as a reference point for the Naguru slum, where Hassan trains youth and adults. The youngest is 7 years old and the oldest is 60. Hassan himself is almost 60 years old and has more than 170 fights "I've never been afraid in a fight - even if they tell me to face the world's champion, I'll jump in with no fear". <img width="2000" height="1333" width_o="2000" height_o="1333" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/aba7ea5304d7b42eaff809697cb486bb85bee70a8ddda712d976eba282408152/IMG_4309b.jpg" data-mid="206802094" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/aba7ea5304d7b42eaff809697cb486bb85bee70a8ddda712d976eba282408152/IMG_4309b.jpg" /> On the rickety wooden benches, where the athletes rest after each round, under a dreamy and focused young Muhammad Ali’s poster, the coach remembers old times when it was extremely dangerous to walk around at night in the neighborhood. The East Coast Naguru Boxing Club is now more than an institution in the slum (if you ask to Naguru boda (motorcycles) drivers: "do you know where the East Coast Boxing Club gym is?" – you will get it right away, "of course, right in front of the mosque"). It is an anchor and a lighthouse of hope. Hassan lists the improvements he has planned to bring: with 4 million Ugandan shillings (approximately 1000 euro) he can enlarge the gym, build a new entrance and have a larger space for the ring where every two months amateur fights are organized, to convey passion among boys and girls in the slum and also to raise funds for the activities of the gym. <img width="2500" height="1667" width_o="2500" height_o="1667" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/6c3c9c462898aef15c1921f83b31002a5977522508849b16d005b7f0ba47b0ed/IMG_4355-copy.jpg" data-mid="202366978" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/6c3c9c462898aef15c1921f83b31002a5977522508849b16d005b7f0ba47b0ed/IMG_4355-copy.jpg" /> East Coast vs Ugandan Police Hassan looks at his athletes as to his children. Between a workout and another, he teaches little ones (and especially the older kids) how to behave, to channel their energies in boxing gloves instead of in street violence and especially teaches a job to those who have finished studying (or that cannot afford to study). Indeed Hassan started a few years ago to involve professionals in various fields (such as carpentry) and added to the gym also a sort of vocational school, where young people can learn a job. The only obstacle is finding enough teachers who can support the project. But "baaba" is a volcano of initiatives: many professional boxing schools pick among his best athletes. However, Hassan does not want to simply be a basic school, he also wants his medals. Hence, the idea of building a gym for very young professionals, and Hassan will start the construction of a new boxing club at Namboole area, close to the national football stadium. <img width="2500" height="1667" width_o="2500" height_o="1667" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/3a7bb8afed437af7499c79c46f7c74b1da789679700ec4adbe0f2b719f69ac25/IMG_4484-Enhanced-NR.jpg" data-mid="206801275" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/3a7bb8afed437af7499c79c46f7c74b1da789679700ec4adbe0f2b719f69ac25/IMG_4484-Enhanced-NR.jpg" /> Between prayers and gloves, Hassan’s life revolves around Naguru: "Why are you doing this, coach?", Hassan does not hesitate for a second: "There's too much poverty. I've always lived here, where my father’s mission was to give hope to the children of the slum. For everyone, his name was "baaba". Now "baaba" is me, it is my mission to these guys." And the guys respond with heads full of dreams. Miro, Charles and Farouk (who are all less than 23 years old) are staring at the future and dreaming of becoming professionals in ten years <img width="2000" height="1333" width_o="2000" height_o="1333" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/1331a157d65e73c760617ace0b908c2875bccea4440da25c56e7e235c4c08d96/IMG_4327-3.jpg" data-mid="206801747" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/1331a157d65e73c760617ace0b908c2875bccea4440da25c56e7e235c4c08d96/IMG_4327-3.jpg" /> Albert, among the oldest and more expert athletes (28 years old) champs at the bit and cannot wait to jump to a higher rank. Hakim, among the youngest, dreams of returning to school. But everyone agrees on one thing: "The lessons of these teachers are invaluable. The freedom and the love for the sport that this gym expresses are invaluable." And everyone knows at least one person who managed to get out of the degradation and delinquency thanks to the teachings of the Khalil brothers. And some have even regained confidence in life after a tragedy: the story of Bashir Ramathan, the blind boxer, has been reported by the New York Times a few years ago. Prayers and gloves. Hassan, in the morning, calls the prayer from the mosque in front of his house. After that, he calls everyone to the gym, ready to teach how to fight among rocks and dust. *Written by Francesco Loiacono. Photo by Marijo Silva https://marijosilvaphotography.com/The-Ugandan-Quidditch-team-when-reality-overcomes-magic Mon, 21 Nov 2016 11:01:14 +0000 Mariajose Silva Vargas https://marijosilvaphotography.com/The-Ugandan-Quidditch-team-when-reality-overcomes-magic The Ugandan Quidditch team: when reality overcomes magic Article and photos by Marijo Silva Some years ago, John Ssentamu read the first volume of J.K. Rowling’s work: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. He borrowed the book from a person he saw reading it while traveling on a matatu: a minibus licensed for carrying 14 people, and one of the most popular means of transportation in Uganda. <img width="2500" height="1716" width_o="2500" height_o="1716" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/9b368a8ac8fbef163202ac151fe76e026b5ad1ffeeddfc7b7095841ca4c13a6d/IMG1389_s.jpg" data-mid="88828604" border="0" data-scale="93" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/9b368a8ac8fbef163202ac151fe76e026b5ad1ffeeddfc7b7095841ca4c13a6d/IMG1389_s.jpg" /> &nbsp;Players and their improvised broomsticks After finishing the volume, following his curious mind and spirit, he searched on the Internet more information about the famous wizards’ game vividly described in the book: The Quidditch. He was then flabbergasted and surprised to discover that the fantastic game was not only played in books and movies, but it was also a serious sport on Muggles’ earth. People from all over the world were jumping, running and holding broomsticks between their legs while playing with different balls in a soccer field. The Quidditch was so well established that even a world tournament was organized every 2 years. <img width="1788" height="2500" width_o="1788" height_o="2500" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/bc1426b5ba956b5e179da072dc91cae5c30e53202160e620fdd5f9fbd2d51dc2/IMG_1381.jpg" data-mid="88837561" border="0" data-scale="50" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/bc1426b5ba956b5e179da072dc91cae5c30e53202160e620fdd5f9fbd2d51dc2/IMG_1381.jpg" /> John Ssentamu holding a broomstick and a "bludger" ball During the same time, John was already questioning about ways to foster development in his hometown of Masaka district, a town two hours away from Kampala. <img width="2500" height="1701" width_o="2500" height_o="1701" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/0c88937b038f08ca725945817c2a669f60ac760c9212c26e564198028f8752e6/IMG_1334.jpg" data-mid="88837581" border="0" data-scale="96" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/0c88937b038f08ca725945817c2a669f60ac760c9212c26e564198028f8752e6/IMG_1334.jpg" /> A Keeper between the hoops “I was wondering how I could attract people’s attention into our region. A sport could be a way, but soccer, basketball, football…not an option! We could never be better than players in other Ugandan cities, where these sports were already famous and played by professionals. So what about Quidditch?! ” John candidly explained, during our trip in a matatu, traveling from Masaka’s center to one of the villages where the game is usually played. And so, in 2013 John started his unusual and magic adventure involving several people in his community. They learned all the sport's rules from the Internet: by watching videos, reading articles and by posting questions to the Quidditch community, using the Ugandan Quidditch team’s Facebook page, which John himself opened. <img width="2500" height="1586" width_o="2500" height_o="1586" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/8b33016d9b9ea765fda7a5b6f3ad9e99798e694c5b90e3f34d81fba2839c1aa9/IMG_1371.jpg" data-mid="88838439" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/8b33016d9b9ea765fda7a5b6f3ad9e99798e694c5b90e3f34d81fba2839c1aa9/IMG_1371.jpg" /> John and one of the Quidditch teams in Uganda Initially, they locally mobilized resources to acquire basic gear in order to start practicing in the field. Later, they received additional equipment from donors or “Friends of Quidditch” as John described them. <img width="2500" height="1721" width_o="2500" height_o="1721" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/728f58cfc46b7d581b6d5c74a8a02339db7617c4eb5411649f67e8fe095433d7/IMG_1330.jpg" data-mid="88837585" border="0" data-scale="93" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/728f58cfc46b7d581b6d5c74a8a02339db7617c4eb5411649f67e8fe095433d7/IMG_1330.jpg" /> Quidditch's initial position In 2014, their story reached professionals from the international Quidditch community in different parts of the world. The same year, for the first time, they welcomed a British fellow player who assisted them in specializing and improving their skills. Their perseverance and hard work made it legitimate to aspire to the highest of any sport achievements: participating in the 2016 World Cup in Germany. <img width="2500" height="1527" width_o="2500" height_o="1527" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/da98c3301d0eec7fd9c2133aa70813731ee7df78dc562d04a25cbd6cb6c07a56/1372_s.jpg" data-mid="88828601" border="0" data-scale="93" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/da98c3301d0eec7fd9c2133aa70813731ee7df78dc562d04a25cbd6cb6c07a56/1372_s.jpg" /> The Ugandan team's main aspiration is to participate in a Quidditch World Cup And so, in order to participate to the World Cup, the Ugandan Quidditch fellows had to face an impressive number of hurdles: they had to apply and receive approval from the International Quidditch Association to join the tournament; in absence of local resources, they started (and successfully achieved) a crowdfunding campaign to cover the costs of their trip to Germany; they applied and obtained passports for all the team players (not an easy task in Uganda). Only one very last step remained: the visa to enter Germany. <img width="2500" height="1726" width_o="2500" height_o="1726" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/dfd6840d5ab636b85ce5dd5f5e688630c1f097e69f000b31867f41b178721482/1339.jpg" data-mid="88837602" border="0" data-scale="93" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/dfd6840d5ab636b85ce5dd5f5e688630c1f097e69f000b31867f41b178721482/1339.jpg" /> Players waiting for the next move Unfortunately, they couldn’t get the needed approvals on time, as not all members of the team had access to a bank account, which is required by the German law: bank accounts in Uganda are still not a developed saving tool, especially because saving via “mobile money” is still the cheapest and most successful system used, above all in rural areas. Nevertheless, John said it was just a first try. They expect to be prepared and ready to go for the next World Cup in 2018. At the same time, John keeps pushing nationally and internationally to promote Quidditch in Africa, especially because is a communitarian experience that does not discriminate by gender, since men and women can play together. <img width="2500" height="2122" width_o="2500" height_o="2122" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/7f4451b8de6763092aeb6bacffc8cbf88ba70f9549fd90ee2092f75463a9e440/IMG_1312.jpg" data-mid="88837612" border="0" data-scale="85" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/7f4451b8de6763092aeb6bacffc8cbf88ba70f9549fd90ee2092f75463a9e440/IMG_1312.jpg" /> Quidditch is played by males and females together “This is another beautiful thing about this game, it is something you can do together, whether you are a girl or a boy”. John’s enthusiasm was contagious, while we watched several kids playing together. <img width="2500" height="1667" width_o="2500" height_o="1667" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/4af4e1d2ffb476f9d85346f8117f5f5cb6804abf4e2cf0926b5463ee545c49f6/IMG_1359_s-copy.jpg" data-mid="88828602" border="0" data-scale="80" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/4af4e1d2ffb476f9d85346f8117f5f5cb6804abf4e2cf0926b5463ee545c49f6/IMG_1359_s-copy.jpg" /> Watching the match John’s efforts are giving their fruits: nowadays the team comprises 53 players: 36 are children and 17 are adults, in 4 different districts in the south of Kampala: Masaka, Kalangala, Wakiso and Sembabule. "John, one last question, what do you think is a priority to make this game more popular in your country" “First of all we need to put in place reliable sources of funding so that all our plans are achieved. We are thinking about some new income generating activities and we are searching for local and international sponsors to enable us to realize these plans". <img width="2294" height="2500" width_o="2294" height_o="2500" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/5509b51f4ae965651070a399ad55845b5fdcf691c55c70aca86272a32c86772d/IMG_1386_s.jpg" data-mid="88828603" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/5509b51f4ae965651070a399ad55845b5fdcf691c55c70aca86272a32c86772d/IMG_1386_s.jpg" /> Playing Quidditch is a communitarian activity "We want to see Quidditch expanded to other schools and communities and we would like to create regional and national tournaments. Also, we are looking for an international team to visit us and train with us as part of 2018 World Cup’s preparations.” John is challenging the world. Who knows, in the future, the Quidditch World Cup could shine under the Ugandan sky. Follow this link to get in touch with Quidditch Uganda https://marijosilvaphotography.com/Reintegration-of-ex-combatants-in-Cote-d-Ivoire Tue, 15 Dec 2015 08:04:24 +0000 Mariajose Silva Vargas https://marijosilvaphotography.com/Reintegration-of-ex-combatants-in-Cote-d-Ivoire Reintegration of ex-combatants in Côte d'Ivoire Originally published at the International Fund for Agricultural Development of the UN (IFAD)’s blog <img width="1990" height="1685" width_o="1990" height_o="1685" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/913bd366c140c195217fc603273197e4187c676440d139c7c0b9d6b1c9fc0d1c/3.jpg" data-mid="39796319" border="0" data-scale="58" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/913bd366c140c195217fc603273197e4187c676440d139c7c0b9d6b1c9fc0d1c/3.jpg" /> An ex-combatant waiting to receive inputs for production in Korhogo, Côte d’Ivoire. In June 2014 I visited the IFAD Projet d'appui à la Production Agricole et à la Commercialisation (PROPACOM). Specifically, I met with a special cluster of the project's beneficiaries: the ex-combatants. Indeed, the country’s last civil conflict ended in 2011, and nowadays there are around 74.000 ex-combatants that need to be reintegrated into the socio-economic life. Thus, IFAD is assisting the Authority of Demobilization, Disarmament and Reintegration (ADDR) by forming, supporting and installing 2000 ex-combatants into the agro-pastoral sector. “The project's objective is to integrate ex-combatants, because they had nothing after the two crises. After years of fighting they had to go back to their life,” said Mr Pierre Soro Seydou, coordinator of the PROPACOM team in Bouaké. <img width="2267" height="1490" width_o="2267" height_o="1490" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/90bf6cdad0133da16121a48d2845f20385bf4e5c89f252c22e02310594803afd/6.jpg" data-mid="39796322" border="0" data-scale="71" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/90bf6cdad0133da16121a48d2845f20385bf4e5c89f252c22e02310594803afd/6.jpg" /> Ex-combatant and his family work in the field near Ferkessédougou, Côte d’Ivoire With the project, the ex-combatants and their communities receive training to start or to return to work in the agricultural sector. In fact, many of them were already farmers before the first crisis in 2002. Indeed, one of the former fighters said to me: “I was born in agriculture, before the war I was also a farmer” Also with the training they learn new techniques to increase the production, such as methods to process cassava into manioc, or shea nuts into shea butter. For them, the formation is essential for many reasons, such as to improve the quality of their production or enhance social cohesion with other people. <img width="1706" height="2560" width_o="1706" height_o="2560" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/1f0828938d278bb7901df43a8c3ae9b5643a8684117b1e8b67294d7df1ae7887/2.jpg" data-mid="39796318" border="0" data-scale="41" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/1f0828938d278bb7901df43a8c3ae9b5643a8684117b1e8b67294d7df1ae7887/2.jpg" /> A woman from the community producing shea butter “After the formation I have found many things that have helped me to improve my everyday life. Really, the formation have donated me many things, especially techniques in the agriculture,”&nbsp; said Mr Yefarguia Kone, one of the participants. <img width="2200" height="1706" width_o="2200" height_o="1706" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/8e0fb17d7efd4bd145542c590ccb7a2b255b487825c578adc9ba11e6aad534e0/7.jpg" data-mid="39796323" border="0" data-scale="80" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/8e0fb17d7efd4bd145542c590ccb7a2b255b487825c578adc9ba11e6aad534e0/7.jpg" /> “After the formation I have found many things that have helped me to improve my everyday life. Really, the formation have donated me many things, especially techniques in the agriculture”&nbsp;Mr Yefarguia Kone Likewise, with the programme they get inputs to start production and they also receive further assistance to connect their communities to markets. For instance,&nbsp; one of the beneficiaries, Mr Silue, got a tricycle to transport the food and sell it in town marketplaces. <img width="1779" height="1704" width_o="1779" height_o="1704" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/e0b94ebcece50e3d4eb548914e53d7bcfa4abf68097d891a88f07df4c417bae5/5.jpg" data-mid="39796321" border="0" data-scale="60" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/e0b94ebcece50e3d4eb548914e53d7bcfa4abf68097d891a88f07df4c417bae5/5.jpg" /> Mr Nakoudjana Silue got a tricycle to transport food to the markets This project is an example of the multi-functionality of agriculture, or in other words, that it can solve many issues in rural areas apart from producing food and fibre: it provides employment; it assures social inclusion of the most vulnerable people; and it can even provide social security and protection.