Who We Are
Our story
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Folona started with a simple idea from one person:
In 2021, after undertaking a Per Rolande Ansima looked around our home in Nakivale and saw problems like families going hungry and the land losing its strength and productivity. She believed the answer wasn't in waiting for help, but in our own hands and in the soil beneath our feet.
Rolande gathered friends and neighbors and said, "What if we learn to grow food in a way that also heals the land?" That was the seed of Folona Hub. We began by learning and teaching each other permaculture, entrepreneurship and useful social skills , how to work with nature to create gardens that feed families and make the soil rich again.
What started as a small learning group has grown into a community hub.
We now train the community, plant thousands of trees, run a community farm, and support women and youth to lead. Our story is simple: one person's idea, planted in good soil and watered by community, has grown into a forest of hope.
About Nakivale, our home !
Nakivale is one of the world's oldest and largest refugee settlements, established in Uganda's Western region in 1958 and officially recognized in 1960.
Nakivale is home to over 180,000 refugees coming from 7+ East African countries including D.R.Congo, Rwanda, Burundi and Somalia
Location and size
Located in Uganda's Isingiro District, about 200km from the capital, Kampala. It covers a vast area of approximately 184 square kilometers, divided into three main administrative zones (Base Camp, Juru, Rubondo) and 79 villages.
Population
The refugee settlement hosts over 170,000 refugees, primarily from the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as Burundi, Somalia, Rwanda, Ethiopia, and Eritrea
Food security & Climate vulnerability
Residents face persistent drought, soil exhaustion from over-cultivation, and reduced food aid rations. This combination has led to increased malnutrition and food insecurity
Our Vision & Mission
At the heart of Folona Hub is a simple, powerful belief : that refugee communities hold the key to their own future.
We also believe that change happens when people come together for a shared purpose despite their differences
To create thriving, resilient refugee communities where people live in harmony with nature, empowered with the knowledge and skills to sustain themselves and contribute to a healthier planet.
To build self-sustainable communities and individuals by addressing environmental, social, and economic challenges through permaculture education, peace learning, and women’s empowerment.
FOLONA equips refugees with the skills and mindset to protect the earth, support one another, and achieve overall well-being.
Our
Core Values
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Team work and collaboration
We cultivate a supportive and cooperative work environment where all team members are encouraged to share ideas and contribute to projects. Team-building activities and training sessions are organized to strengthen relationships and collaboration among staff and participants.
Inclusivity
We actively promote diversity by creating programs that engage all segments of the community, regardless of age, gender, nationality, disability, or background. We ensure that marginalized voices are heard and that everyone has the opportunity to participate in our initiatives.
Empowerment
FOLONA empowers people through training, resources, and leadership opportunities; we teach permaculture, peace education, and women’s health skills so that community members can take responsibility for their own growth.
Meet the Co-founders
Director
Program Manager
Strategic advisor