Starting Over: What Happens When South Sudanese Refugees Arrive in Northern Uganda

When South Sudanese refugees arrive at one of the refugee settlements in Northern Uganda, they are greeted with a mixture of hope and fear. Having fled a country torn by civil war, they arrive exhausted and traumatized, carrying little more than the clothes on their backs and the weight of unimaginable loss. Families have been separated, homes destroyed, and lives uprooted. The journey has been long, and often, they are unsure of what the future holds. But despite the hardship, they find themselves in a place of refuge where, for the first time in a long while, there is a glimmer of hope.

A Safe Haven, But a Long Road Ahead

Upon arrival, refugees are processed by the Ugandan government and international aid organizations, which assess their basic needs. This process involves registering individuals and families, providing them with identification, and allocating them to specific settlements. Refugees are given a small plot of land to cultivate, which offers the opportunity to grow food and create a new life. They are also provided with monthly food rations—meager, but enough to sustain them in the short term. These rations, while essential, rarely provide the nourishment needed to thrive, leaving many feeling the weight of their ongoing struggles.

The physical necessities are addressed first—items like tarps for temporary shelter, food rations to tide them over, and access to clean water. But what’s often more difficult to address is the emotional and psychological trauma. Refugees have lived through violence, loss, and displacement, and many struggle with the scars of their past. In the settlements, they are surrounded by others who have experienced similar struggles, creating a sense of community but also reminding them of everything they’ve lost. Even in a place of safety, the psychological weight is heavy, and the hope of rebuilding feels distant.

A New Beginning: The Support Provided

Once the immediate needs are met, refugees begin to receive more structured support. The Ugandan government, along with aid agencies, provides essential services such as education for children, healthcare, and opportunities for self-sufficiency. In addition to the land they are given, refugees are trained in agricultural techniques and small-scale farming to help them maximize their productivity on their plots. While this support is essential for survival, it’s just the beginning. As previously mentioned, the food rations are often insufficient, and the land alone may not provide the means to generate a sustainable income or rebuild a life with dignity.

Despite the resources provided, refugees are often left in a state of limbo, trying to navigate a new reality. Their dreams of rebuilding are clouded by the uncertainty of how to transform their land into a source of stability and how to break the cycle of reliance on aid. Many still struggle to meet the most basic needs, and the sense of hope they once had can begin to fade.

Watch Bashier’s story of the journey from Sudan to Uganda in search of safety and refuge – a journey thousands have endured.

Nancy Wode, Seed Effect Member and South Sudanese Refugee, shared part of her story,

“When we arrived from South Sudan as refugees, life was not easy. Feeding my family was so difficult. Sometimes, we would only eat once or twice a day, and I was not able to afford school fees for my children.”

However, after joining a Seed Effect group, Nancy’s trajectory began to change, and she began to dream again. 

“Now my family eats three times a day, and I can pay school fees. I was able to build a semi-permanent house instead of just sleeping in a tent. My dream is to continue to grow my business, purchase more livestock, rent more land for cultivation, build a nicer house with an iron roof, and ensure continued ease in sending my kids to school.”

The Role of Seed Effect in Rebuilding Lives

This is where Seed Effect comes in. Seed Effect is dedicated to helping refugees not only survive but thrive. Through its Christ-centered economic empowerment program, Seed Effect is helping refugees build the skills and resources they need to rebuild their lives and regain a sense of purpose and dignity. The heart of Seed Effect’s work lies in providing long-term economic opportunities and solutions that empower individuals to provide for themselves and their families.

Seed Effect’s three-cycle program focuses on economic literacy, savings, and entrepreneurship. Refugees are taught practical skills, such as budgeting and managing savings, while also learning how to start small businesses or develop income-generating activities. They are empowered to take ownership of their futures, breaking free from the cycle of dependency on aid.

In addition to promoting financial empowerment, Seed Effect provides spiritual support, recognizing that true healing extends beyond economic stability. We believe that introducing our members to Jesus and helping them restore broken relationships is essential to achieving lasting transformation. That’s why we partner with local churches, where refugees are encouraged in their faith and their relationships with God and others. Refugees often endure deep trauma and isolation, which is why our partnership with Tutapona is also critical. Tutapona works with refugees in Uganda to help them heal from the effects of war, violence, and displacement, offering a path toward hope and restoration. Through this holistic approach, we address both the material and emotional needs of refugees, equipping them with the tools to heal and rebuild their lives. 

Ledia Meling, a Seed Effect member and South Sudanese refugee, shared how encountering God’s Word through Seed Effect brought hope, healing, and strength in the midst of deep loss and hardship:

“When Seed Effect came, they talked about and emphasized the Bible, which made me so happy and so excited. I give thanks because Seed Effect has given us a Bible and Bible study guide. It has really helped me so much to study the word of God… I am emphasizing the impact of the Bible component because when I first came from South Sudan, there were groups here that had been formed with some other partners. But those partners only gave hoes [to dig with] and a few other things, but did not bring the word of God.” 

Ledia continued and reflected on the personal losses she has endured, and how God has become her foundation through it all:

“When I grew up, I got married and we had five children but four of them died. And my husband also died. Now I have put more trust in God because I know God is my everything. I have put all trust in him,  my finances, my wellbeing, all is left in God’s hand. I underwent so much stress when I had to flee South Sudan, but now here I am studying the word of God. If it weren’t for the Word of God, I do not know where I would be. It has given me much strength.”

The Impact of Seed Effect’s Work

Seed Effect’s presence in the settlements is transforming lives. Refugees who once had nothing but the clothes on their backs are now equipped with the tools they need to rebuild their futures. Many have started successful businesses, sending their children to school, and improving their living conditions. Through the program, they not only regain their financial independence but also their sense of self-worth and hope for the future.

Santa, a Seed Effect member and South Sudanese refugee, reflected on her life before arriving at the settlement and joining a Seed Effect savings group, sharing: 

“And when I compare my life now that I am in this group with my life back in South Sudan, back then, my life was not easy. Life was hard! Getting money was hard! But right now, I am very fine. There is nothing wrong. Slowly, slowly with time, I got a house. The money that I get pays for school fees. Right now, I am planning for the future so that my business doesn’t stop with these things only… This is only happiness that I am experiencing because I never thought that I would ever be happy. But I am really happy. I am truly happy!”

As South Sudanese refugees continue their journey of rebuilding, they are reminded that they are not alone. Seed Effect is with them every step of the way, walking alongside them as they navigate the challenges of resettlement, offering the support and tools they need to build a better future for themselves and their families. 

Together, we can bring hope and opportunity to the hard places and empower more refugees and those living in material poverty to know Jesus and provide for their families with dignity. Every $90 sends one person through Seed Effect’s program, and $2,250 empowers an entire group.