Unmasking Humanity: The Inspiring Journey of Jonathan Ngangura and Gosoapy in Nakivale Refugee Settlement Camp
Joshua Tyler Berglan
Founder of The Bridge Empowerment Centers & The World’s Mayor Experience | Award-Winning Producer, Show Host & Bestselling Author | Visionary OmniMedia Innovator | Advocate & Mentor for Empowering Underserved Communities
In this powerful episode of "UnMasking Humanity: 21 Questions with Joshua T Berglan" on the World's Mayor Experience platform, we delve into the extraordinary story of Jonathan Ngangura and his transformative initiative, Gosoapy, in Nakivale Refugee Settlement Camp.
A Journey of Resilience
Jonathan Ngangura's story is one of incredible resilience and hope. In 2012, at just 13 years old, Jonathan fled his home in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) due to political conflict that claimed the lives of his entire family. Alone and scared, he found refuge in Uganda's Nakivale Refugee Settlement Camp, home to over 144,000 refugees from seven different backgrounds.
Life in Nakivale was far from easy. With limited access to job opportunities, education, health services, and food, refugees face immense challenges. The UNHCR provides a mere 4 USD per month per refugee for food, medication, and transport, leading to severe social and economic problems. Jonathan himself experienced this hardship firsthand, tragically losing his wife and baby in 2024 due to poor medical treatment.
The Birth of Gosoapy
Despite these overwhelming obstacles, Jonathan refused to give up. He discovered his passion for art and social entrepreneurship, using these skills to become a community artivist. In 2020, Jonathan founded Gosoapy, a social enterprise built inside the refugee camp by refugees themselves.
Gosoapy's Origin Story
If Gosoapy were a superhero, its origin story would be one of transformation and empowerment. Jonathan paints a vivid picture of Akello, a refugee who discovers a glowing soapstone that grants her extraordinary powers. With the ability to manipulate resources, deliver education blasts, and heal with a touch, Akello becomes Gosoapy, a beacon of hope in the fight against refugee challenges.
From Struggle to Success: A Before and After Story
The impact of Gosoapy is nothing short of remarkable. Before its intervention, Nakivale Camp struggled with limited access to education, healthcare, and resources. Today, the camp boasts a thriving school, healthcare center, and resource hub, empowering over 500 refugees and demonstrating the incredible potential of community-driven solutions.
Soap: A Secret Weapon for Empowerment
Gosoapy's ingenious approach turns soap-making into a powerful tool for refugee empowerment. By providing women with a sustainable income source, the initiative promotes economic independence, fosters community bonds, and helps refugees rebuild their lives with dignity.
Unexpected Skills and Innovations
The camp is a hotbed of untapped potential and surprising skills. Jonathan reveals that many refugees possess remarkable coding and app development talents, which could revolutionize their future in the global digital economy. He shares an inspiring anecdote about Grace, a refugee who created a solar-powered water purification system using locally sourced materials, showcasing the ingenuity present within the community.
Gosoapy's Growth and Vision
In 2023, Gosoapy registered as a group of companies, including Gosoapy Academy, which aims to skill and educate refugees through tailoring, craft, soap making, agriculture, financial literacy, and basketry. The initiative has supported 1,000 orphans to go to school at the camp, with a vision to establish a dedicated school for these children.
Looking to the Future
Jonathan envisions a bright future for Nakivale Refugee Settlement Camp. In ten years, he sees it transformed into a thriving, self-sustaining community where refugees have become entrepreneurs, innovators, and leaders. Gosoapy's mission will have empowered refugees to drive their own development, creating a model of resilience and hope that inspires replication worldwide.
Recommended by LinkedIn
How You Can Help
Jonathan's work through Gosoapy is making a significant impact, but there's still much to be done. Here are ways you can support Jonathan Ngangura and Gosoapy:
Bank Name: CENTENARY BANK , Country : Uganda
Bank Address: MAPERA HOUSE KAMPALA -ROAD, P.O BOX :1892 KAMPALA
SWIFT Code: CERBUGKA, Account No.: 3203552541
Account holder: JONAS NGANGURA, Phon number : +256774467870
Your donations will help expand agricultural projects, establish a soap-making factory, build a community center, and support women and youth empowerment programs.
Conclusion
Jonathan Ngangura's journey from a young refugee to a visionary social entrepreneur is a testament to the human spirit's capacity to overcome adversity and thrive. Through Gosoapy, he's not only transforming lives but also challenging perceptions about refugee camps and their inhabitants. As we unmask the humanity in these stories, we're reminded of the incredible impact that can be achieved when we empower those who have been displaced to become the architects of their own futures.
To learn more or get in touch with Jonathan, visit his LinkedIn profile or contact him directly at ngangurajonathan32@gmail.com or via WhatsApp at +256774467870.
Join us in supporting Jonathan's vision and help empower refugees at Nakivale Camp. Together, we can turn soap into hope and create lasting change.
Other articles:
Community artivist, disabilities inclusion advocate founder at ability innovation hub and Gosoapy group
5moJamie Bartley Kimberly Santoni Vanessa Ma Andrew Behar Gavin Sathianathan Cliff Southcombe Clifford Hoffer
Community artivist, disabilities inclusion advocate founder at ability innovation hub and Gosoapy group
5mowaooooh waooooh so nice