Together We Rise: A livelihood story that leaves no one behind

In the heart of Nyarugusu Refugee Camp, a new story of hope and collaboration began to unfold one that united people across divides and laid the foundation for inclusive livelihoods. Nyarugusu camp refugees and host communities surrounding the camp often separated by circumstance came together with a shared goal: to learn sustainably production of food through integrated fish farming.

This inspiring initiative, led by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) under the Kigoma Joint Programme (KJP), in partnership with UNHCR, launched practical, inclusive training sessions for both refugees and host community members. With a focus on leaving no one behind, the program equipped participants with essential hands-on skills in fish farming, poultry rearing, and vegetable production.

The training began in classrooms and swiftly moved to the field. Under the guidance of experts from Fisheries Education and Training Agency (FETA), men, women, and youth worked side by side to dig demonstration fishponds lined with protective plastic sheets, fitted with water channels, and stocked with fingerlings. These activities symbolized more than agricultural progress; they were a testament to unity, resilience, and shared purpose.

In addition to fish farming, trainees learned how to build chick brooders and poultry coop over the ponds, enabling them to start poultry farming at home. The integration of vegetable gardens around the ponds, irrigated using nutrient-rich fishpond water through simple drip systems, further strengthened food production in a sustainable and resource-efficient way.

With the support of the Camp Commandant’s Office, the trainees received certificates of participation as recognition of their hard work and achievement. They were also granted official permission to travel to Kigoma town for a study tour a rare and valuable opportunity.

The tour, organized with FAO in collaboration with UNHCR, TAFIRI (Tanzania Fisheries Research Institute) and the Fish4ACP project, exposed participants to large-scale cage fish farming in Lake Tanganyika. They learned about cage construction, feeding practices, and market strategies. For many, it was their first encounter with such advanced systems, sparking fresh ideas and expanding their vision for what’s possible back home.

Returning to Nyarugusu with renewed enthusiasm, participants shared their knowledge with their communities, creating ripples of change through peer learning and motivation. What began as a training session transformed into a powerful movement one that builds livelihoods, strengthens food security, and most importantly, unites refugees and host communities under a shared future. Truly, together they rise leaving no one behind.