Young African Refugees for Integral Development

Young African Refugees for Integral Development (YARID) is a community-based organization formed by refugees in Uganda that operates a number of programs that provide informal language instruction, Internet access, and vocational training to refugees in urban Kampala. The organization was founded in 2007 by Robert Hakiza a Congolese refugee living in Uganda.

Focus area
YARID aims to empower refugees, orphans, and other displaced persons by offering comprehensive educational programs, accessible healthcare facilities, and skills training opportunities. Through their approach, they equip individuals who have faced tremendous adversity with the necessary tools and knowledge to thrive and ultimately become valuable, productive members of society.

Geographical reach
YARID has three field offices in Kampala, Kyaka II, and Palabek refugee settlements. In 2022, the organization directly served over 8,000 refugees across these three field offices, addressing access to education, sustainable livelihoods, and refugee protection, and continually advocating for the rights and opportunities for refugees.

YARID is a registered NGO serving refugees in Uganda. The organization's work remains centered on community-driven solutions to build up fellow refugees on a resilient path.

Awards
On 23 February 2016, the announcement of the winner of the Ockenden International Prize took place at the annual ceremony held at Lady Margaret Hall, University of Oxford. Ockenden International established this prize in 2012 with the aim of recognizing and supporting projects that promote the self-reliance of refugees and displaced individuals. That year, a total of 42 entries from 25 countries were considered by expert judges, who carefully evaluated the three top projects. Ultimately, the prestigious prize, amounting to US$100,000, was awarded to the 'Women's Empowerment Project' by Young African Refugees for Integral Development (YARID) from Kampala, Uganda.

YARID, an organization led by refugees, made history by becoming the first recipient of this esteemed international prize. Its founder, Robert Hakiza, originally a Congolese refugee who sought asylum in Uganda approximately seven years ago, had played a pivotal role in the organization's development and success as its director.