About I CAN South Sudan
I CAN South Sudan is a Community-Based Organization (CBO) that aims to engage unaccompanied refugee children in social and musical activities. The aim is three-fold: to give them meaning, purpose and hope in their lives, to develop their skills and talents for the future, and to provide them with a voice to express their trauma and their desire for peace. I CAN was created by Mr. Stephen Wandu Bimo, Kyobutungi Angela and Seme Ludanga in October 2017. Stephen Wandu is a South Sudanese refugee and an experienced musician, who has worked with the Mbaraza Gospel Band, the Fire Gospel Band, and as singer-songwriter Ambassadeur Koko. He participated in the composition and writing of the South Sudanese national anthem and was elected President for Musicians in Western Equatoria State in 2010. He has previous experience with children, having worked as a musical teacher for primary schools in South Sudan, for Sunday Schools, and with street children. He is a father of three children of his own.Kyobutungi Angela is a single mother to her daughter, Anita. Her concern for the plight of unaccompanied refugee children led her to suggest the foundation of I CAN. Kyobutungi Angela is an experienced youth trainer, youth counselor and youth mentor. She has worked with Reproductive Health Uganda (RHU) as their District Based Trainer on the project Youth Empowerment Through Agriculture (YETA).
Mission
I CAN has three main aims: To inculcate a sense of meaning, purpose, and hope in the lives of musically talented unaccompanied refugee children living in refugee settlements in Northern Uganda. To develop musical and performance skills and talents in these children that will ultimately allow them to pursue a career in these areas of the creative arts, including the preservation of the distinctive musical culture of South Sudan. To provide unaccompanied refugee children with a voice to express their trauma and their desire for peace.
Goal
The goal of the project is to reach the maximum number of unaccompanied refugee children possible. In May 2018, we secured start-up funding of Euro 5,000 from Misereor based in Germany to begin the project. This will be sufficient to pay for phase– one of the projects, which will train 20 children for 6 months. The aim of the project is to evidence success, such that further funding is obtained to roll out the program to reach a greater number of children.
Motto: Yes We can!
Mission
I CAN has three main aims: To inculcate a sense of meaning, purpose, and hope in the lives of musically talented unaccompanied refugee children living in refugee settlements in Northern Uganda. To develop musical and performance skills and talents in these children that will ultimately allow them to pursue a career in these areas of the creative arts, including the preservation of the distinctive musical culture of South Sudan. To provide unaccompanied refugee children with a voice to express their trauma and their desire for peace.
Goal
The goal of the project is to reach the maximum number of unaccompanied refugee children possible. In May 2018, we secured start-up funding of Euro 5,000 from Misereor based in Germany to begin the project. This will be sufficient to pay for phase– one of the projects, which will train 20 children for 6 months. The aim of the project is to evidence success, such that further funding is obtained to roll out the program to reach a greater number of children.
Motto: Yes We can!
Management
Stephen Wandu Bimo
Director/Project Manager
Stephen Wandu is a South Sudanese refugee and an experienced musician, who has worked with the Mbaraza Gospel Band, the Fire Gospel Band, and as singer-songwriter Ambassadeur Koko. He was elected President for Musicians in Western Equatoria State in 2010. He has previous experience with children, having worked as a musical teacher for primary schools in South Sudan, for Sunday Schools, and with street children. He is a father of three children of his own.
Kyobutingi Angela
Finance Officer/ Child welfare
Kyobutungi Angela is an experienced youth trainer, youth counselor and youth mentor. She has worked with Reproductive Health Uganda (RHU) as their District Based Trainer on the project Youth Empowerment Through Agriculture (YETA).
Seme Ludanga
Secretary/ Song Writer and Children Trainer
Seme Ludanga is a secretary, song writer and trainer. Quates: The activist is the one that cleans the river (me) not the one that says the river is dirty.
Donate
"HELP US TO HELP " !!
All donations goes to unaccompanied south Sudanese refugee children at the camps in Uganda.
All donations goes to unaccompanied south Sudanese refugee children at the camps in Uganda.
Objectives
The project is intended to run for five years initially, over three phases. Phase one is currently funded.
Phase One Objectives June 2018-November 2018 (funded)
- Identify unaccompanied refugee children with musical talents. Such talents may include an aptitude for music, as well as existing instrumental skills. I CAN South Sudan together with the refugee communities at Bidibidi Refugee Camp identified and selected the 20 children in a singing audition
- Provide opportunities for recording the children’s musical and storytelling efforts, in a studio environment.
- Record (using video) a promotional single written and performed by the children, and distribute this as widely as possible.
- Develop a YouTube channel and links with local, regional, national, and international broadcasters to showcase the talents of these children and highlight their plight
- Secure funding to extend the project for a further 24 months, and to include a further cohort of 30 children per year, so that a total of 50 children are involved.
- Develop an ‘album’ of recordings and videos and organize a Children’s Album Launch in Refugee Camps in Uganda
- Train women on craft skills like manufacturing bags, necklaces and bangles, along with other income-generating activities, like cake baking and cooking.
- Engage children in sporting coaching and activities.
- Develop a suite of written educational materials that can be used in future years.
- Provide training on how to sing and play musical instruments to a professional level, and how to dance.
- Provide opportunities for children to sit and discuss the political, social and spiritual events going around them, and how to reflect these in their music.
- If political conditions allow, establish a base in South Sudan to prepare children for a return home.
- Increase the scale of the program by employing a further two trained youth workers, so that the number of children involved can be dramatically increased.
- Further develop the educational package, so that it can be delivered in more locations by different teams.
- Make contact with other refugee camps around Africa, and educate others about this model of learning and support.
- If political conditions allow, Establish a base in South Sudan to prepare children for a return home.
- Unaccompanied refugee children aged 5-17, male and female
Unaccompanied refugee children form an obviously vulnerable group. We believe in equal rights for every child, regardless of their gender, tribal ancestry, or disability.
Young girls are especially vulnerable to exploitation within the camps. This project seeks to give them not only a sense of their self-worth and their creativity, but a voice to speak out about the issues that girls and women face.
Tribal ancestry has unfortunately contributed to the war in South Sudan. This project is designed to treat all participants equally, and to allow individuals from different sides of the conflict to bond over a shared musical experience and a shared relationship to tradition.
Trauma, isolation, poverty and hardship will all be reduced by the project for all participants. The aim is not merely to encourage thoughtful self-expression, but to cultivate talents that will allow these young people to develop careers in the music, performance and entertainment industries.
Existing Similar Organizations or firms in Uganda
While other organizations are involved in providing basic care to refugee groups, few are focused on opportunities for self-expression, the social aspect of refugees, for preserving cultural heritage, or for delivering future-focused training that can contribute to peace. This project fulfils all four of these objectives.
Possible Long time Other Effects
- It will allow traumatized children an opportunity for self-expression
- It will help to preserve and promote a distinctive South Sudanese musical ‘voice’
- It will help to create unity among the diverse tribes of South Sudan, and to give young girls an opportunity to discuss their particular experiences.
- It will expose undiscovered talents in South Sudan, creating opportunities for the children to further their education
I CAN Childrens' Music
Events
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I CAN Children Album Launch
- Date: 28.09.2018 07:29 PM
Contact
- BIDIBIDI REFUGEE CAMP
- P.O.BOX 2627 Kampala Uganda
- +256784423615
- uekowandu@gmail.com
- 8:30am -15:00 pm
Gallery
- I CAN Children Pictures at Freedom City
- I CAN children Training in Bidibidi Refugee Camp
- I CAN Children Pictures at The Studio
- I CAN Children Pictures at Zoo in Kampala
- I CAN Children At the Hotel
- I CAN Children in Concerts and Events
- I CAN Staffs
- I CAN South Sudan Charity
- Visitors
- Other Activities Pictures
- Videos And documentaries
Blogs
Lyrics and details of the Save me Song in the album
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I CAN Children voice about the Peace Agreement signed
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Translations of Gisa
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They have stood despite all tribulations and they vow to rise beyond their situation
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