How hope and inner peace emerge — even in a refugee camp

I’ve been working virtually in the Nakivale Refugee Settlement in Uganda for the past nine months. The refugees there have been learning about the Three Principles—the profound teachings of Sydney Banks—through an initiative called 3P in Africa.

A few weeks ago, my friend Tayebwa Philips, who leads the 3P Nakivale Addiction and Mental Health Team, visited one of the villages in the camp called Kabazana. He spent time speaking with community members and gathering their personal stories.

Having been involved in these projects for some time now, I’ve seen firsthand the impact the Three Principles can have on the lives of refugees. And yet, every time I hear their stories, I’m moved all over again by what they say has changed for them.

There is something deeply hopeful in the fact that people who have lost so much to war and conflict—and who continue to face daily hardships like lack of food, shelter, and education—often say they...

Chapter 1 - Stolen Hope

David-Baya crouched near the edge of their makeshift shelter; his knees pressed into the damp dirt floor. He saw his father, Jean-Kiba, sitting just outside through a small hole in the patched plastic wall. The dawn light painted the sky a soft gray, and the morning mist clung to the air. Jean-Kiba sat hunched forward, his face buried in his hands. His shoulders shook slightly.

David blinked in disbelief. His father was weeping. In all his twelve years, David had never seen him cry. Not even two years ago, when their village in the Kasai region of DR Congo was burning and chaos engulfed everything they had ever known. Jean-Kiba had been strong then, carrying David's little brother on his back and urging his family to run faster. But now, in the fragile quiet of the Nakival Refugee Settlement where they had found safety, he seemed to have crumbled.

The boy’s breath caught in his chest. Something must be wrong. He looked around the dim interior of the shelter. ...

Kapitel 1 – Gestohlene Hoffnung

David-Baya hockte am Rand ihres provisorischen Unterstands; seine Knie pressten sich in den feuchten Boden. Durch ein kleines Loch in der geflickten Plastikplane sah er seinen Vater, Jean-Kiba, draußen sitzen. Das Licht der Morgendämmerung färbte den Himmel grau, und der Nebel hing in der Luft. Jean-Kiba saß nach vorne gebeugt, das Gesicht in den Händen vergraben. Seine Schultern zitterten leicht.

David blinzelte ungläubig. Sein Vater weinte. In seinen zwölf Lebensjahren hatte er ihn noch nie weinen sehen – nicht einmal vor zwei Jahren, als ihr Dorf in der Region Kasai in der DR Kongo brannte und das Chaos alles zerstörte, was sie kannten. Damals war Jean-Kiba stark gewesen, hatte Davids kleinen Bruder auf dem Rücken getragen und die Familie angetrieben, schneller zu laufen. Doch hier, in der fragilen Ruhe des Flüchtlingslagers Nakivale, schien er zusammengebrochen zu sein.

Dem Jungen stockte der Atem. Etwas stimmte nicht. Er blickte sich im schummrig...

Dear Friend,

For the past few months, I’ve had the privilege of contributing to the inspiring "3P in Africa" movement.

It is a grassroots organization that teaches and shares the "3 Principles" (Sydney Banks) and brings love, forgiveness, and happiness to the people of Africa.

It is mending hearts and healing alcoholism in refugee camps and communities across Uganda, Kenya, and beyond.

I support the cause by sharing my insights and understanding with others there; my first encounter was with Martha.

As it turns out, she is more my teacher than I am hers. Below, you will hear her story.

It will touch and inspire you, and I hope you will see something new for yourself.

This has more to do with you than you might think. Martha's experience is universally human.

(Thanks to her for allowing me to share her story.)

I recently spoke with Martha for the first time.

She lives in Homa Bay, located on the northwest edge of Lake Victoria in Kenya.

Her brown, beautiful, strong fa...

Hello Dear Reader,

I’m excited to invite you to an online event on August 1, 2,024 at 5 pm CEST / 11 am EST.  I truly hope you can join us because…

I want you to meet four high-conscious humans with deep feelings who will touch your heart and potentially impact your life significantly.

Phillips Tayebwa, Murindangabo Rugaragara, Nehemia Bigiramwami, and Andrew Rwumbuguza are the leading substance abuse counselors at the 3P Nakivale Alcohol Dept.

Located in southwestern Uganda and home to 130,000 people, Nakivale Refugee Settlement is one of Africa’s oldest and largest refugee camps.

It covers a vast area and hosts refugees from places like the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, Somalia, and South Sudan.

Refugees come from areas affected by civil wars, ethnic conflicts, and human rights abuses, seeking safety in Nakivale to escape violence and persecution.

In the camp, alcoholism is a big problem – often linked to the trauma and stress of being displaced and the harsh ...

Hallo liebe Leserin, hallo lieber Leser,

geht es dir gut? Ich freue mich sehr, dich zu einem Online-Event am 1. August um 17:00 Uhr MESZ / 11:00 Uhr EST einzuladen. Ich hoffe, dass du dabei sein kannst, denn…

Ich möchte dir vier hoch bewusste Menschen mit tiefem Gefühl vorstellen, die dein Herz berühren und dein Leben erheblich beeinflussen könnten.

Andrew Rwumbuguza, Murindangabo Rugaragara, Nehemia Bigiramwami und Phillips Tayebwa sind die führenden Suchtberater der 3P Nakivale Alkoholberatungsstelle.

Das Nakivale Flüchtlingslager, gelegen im Südwesten Ugandas und Heimat für 130.000 Menschen, ist eines der ältesten und größten Flüchtlingslager Afrikas.

Es erstreckt sich über ein weites Gebiet und beherbergt Flüchtlinge aus Ländern wie der Demokratischen Republik Kongo, Ruanda, Burundi, Somalia und dem Südsudan.

Flüchtlinge kommen aus Ländern, die von Bürgerkriegen, ethnischen Konflikten und Menschenrechtsverletzungen betroffen sind, und suchen in Nakivale Sicherheit vor Gewalt ...