The Illustrated Memoir Project in Nakivale
We believe individual stories can change the world.
The Memoirs on this page were created in May, 2025 by participants residing in the Nakivale Refugee Settlement, Isingiro District, Uganda. We partnered with Alight to implement this program, our first in a refugee settlement, but certainly not our last. We cannot wait to get back and work with more young people in Nakivale and other settlements throughout Uganda and surrounding countries in the coming years.
Please note: Several of the memoirs on this page describe scenes of significant violence and trauma and may not be appropriate for some readers.
by David Kwalikwalaba
Through the use of his gorgeous illustration style David shares three stories from his life in English and Swahili; Taking Advice is Important, David and his Puppy, and Talent.
Three Memoir Stories
by Willis Kasereka
Willis’s powerful illustrations bring his words to life as he details fleeing South Sudan and eventually settling in Uganda. He describes the politics and geology of his home country and the implications of life as a refugee.
Between Hope and Despair
Failure is My Success
by Arakaza Olivier
In Olivier’s memoir he explores setbacks and disappointments he has experienced, but instead of giving up, he found ways to improve himself and persevere, emerging stronger.
My Life My Dreams and Jane the Brave and Johnson the Dog
by Samuel Myatsi
Samuel’s first story describes how his dreams and ambitions have changed as he has grown. His second is a wonderful tale of Jane and Johnson and how they save the family that has treated them so poorly.
God’s Plans are Better than Ours
by Faustin Kasongo
Faustin’s amazing illustrations help tell his memoir story of fleeing Congo to find refuge in Uganda, and the welcome he received at the Alight Library amongst the other writers and illustrators.
Time Tells and Inspiration Reveals
by Ucuki Abigel Murogo
Abigel’s powerful memoir starts with a poem about grappling with grief after the loss of a loved one and concludes with a story about the lessons she has learned engaged in philanthropic work with other women in Nakivale.
Fantastic Adventures
by Adam Natare
Adam, a natural storyteller, shares this book of adventure stories inspired by friends and filled with life lessons and darling illustrations. The three fantasy stories are followed by some insights into Adam’s day-to-day life and aspirations.
Light in Darkness
by Opia Janet
Opia Janet’s touching and ultimately hopeful memoir details her happy life in South Sudan, having to flee to seek refuge in Uganda, settling into Nakivale and starting high school, and then the heartbreaking loss of her father.
My New School, The Love of the Parents & Teacher Faith’s Class at the Zoo
by Astride Obadiah
Astride’s sweet trio of stories tell of her experiences changing schools, her delight in the obvious love her parents have for each other and the lessons they have for her, and the wonders she saw on a trip to the zoo.
The Truth Behind the Smiley Face
by Gihozo Melissa
Melissa’s eloquent collection of memoir stories describe the many traumas her family has endured since being forced to leave their beautiful life in Burundi to seek refuge in Uganda, and her dreams of continuing her studies and pursuing a rewarding career.
My Confused Dreams
by Charity Nikuze
Charity’s sweet drawings help us perfectly visualize her stories that range from birth to birthdays, and from dreams, talents, and ambitions to picnics with family and new friends.
Integrity My Priority
by Daniel Akilimali
Daniel’s memoir starts with a powerful poem then goes on to describe the many difficulties he and his family had to overcome after being forced to flee their home country of Congo and pursue a new life and educational goals in Uganda.
The Story
by Salim
Salim’s strong illustrating style helps to convey the feelings and action in his three stories, written in Kinyarwanda and English, explaining how he came to study art after having to leave school due to lack of funds, respecting your parents, and finding what you love.
My Journey from Burundi to the US
by Izimukwiye Izabellah
Bellah’s memoir reflects on the beautiful life she and her family had in Burundi, the lovely meals and comfortable home, before war forced them to seek refuge in Uganda. She also tells the story of overcoming her fears to stand for election as a prefect in her school.
Mole-rats
by Gilbert Irankunda
Gilbert’s memoir provides detailed descriptions of mole-rats and the threat they present to crops grown by people in Uganda and elsewhere. He then explains how he came up with a unique system for trapping the rodents to help his crops thrive.
My Journey Over the Skulls to the Land of Freedom
by Birere Espoir
Espoir's powerful memoir details the circumstances that forced him to flee his home and travel to Uganda alone as a child and what he has learned since finding refuge in Nakivale.
by Benedict Blonsy
Benedict describes how her upbringing and life experiences have shaped her and the peace and solace she finds in writing in her journal.
Light in Writing
The Precious Mother’s Smile
by Carine Cibembe
Carine’s story examines how an orphaned girl starts to overcome her loneliness and come to terms with her loss with the help of her siblings and community members.
When I Saved Earth’s Breath and Growing Up with a Chaos Bro!!
by Reagan Mugisha Chadwick
Reagan’s first story explores the importance of environmental protection efforts and his work in that vital area. The second details the trials and tribulations of a well-behaved young boy growing up with a chaotic brother and how they come to a shared understanding.
My Birthday Party and Other Stories
by Yom Reech Akech
Yom’s delightful memoir consists of three stories: the story of the day she was born in South Sudan, her experiences in boarding school, and her views on life as a refugee living in Nakivale with her family.
The Reason I Left Home
by Gwaljos the Poet
Gwaljos’s memoir combines gripping poetry and storytelling with his paintings to share his experience of war and terror in his home country of Congo, his continued experiences of loss in Uganda, and finding his way to form a group of writers providing a source of support for himself and his friends.
My Obsession for the Internet
by INFLICTOR57
This memoir describes INFLICTOR57’s evolving obsession with the internet, from first encountering his father’s cell phone, to learning to do design work for client’s for pay and thus coming up with his own digital moniker, INFLICTOR57.
Jennifer My Best Friend
by Shania Mwangaza
Shania’s sweet memoir details her dear friendship with Jennifer, the fun they had and the trouble they sometimes encountered when prioritizing fun over school some times, until one day Jennifer and her family moved to the city.
Life in Nakivale
by Dr Victor
Victor’s stories give a strong sense of the different aspects of life in a refugee settlement, from struggles with family and health, searching for moments of peace and calm, to finding ways to work towards your dreams and aspirations when living with limited resources.
My Life History
by Jok Reech Akech
Jok’s five memoir stories provide a rich understanding of his life growing up in a refugee settlement, his charming illustrations bring the stories to life and help you feel his fear when starting school and his joy when eating his favorite food.
Visualizing the Vision
by IKKAD5
IKKAD’s uniquely told story takes us through the ups and downs, ins and outs, of trying to shoot his first music video in the Nakivale Refugee Settlement with the help of many friends along the way.
In Faith Everything is Possible
by Akimana Emerine
Emerine’s lovely memoir is about making the move from primary to secondary school, the hurdles and fears she faced, and the kindness and grace from others she found along the way that has allowed her to continue to learn and thrive.
The Story of a Poor Family
by Azaki Angali
Azaki’s engaging personality rings through in the writing style of his three stories, written in French and English, concerning a school friend in his home country of Congo teaching him to drive, taking over the family finances for a bit, and the devastating loss of his young sister.
Future is Now
by Shani Faith
Shani has written nine short stories that feature a variety of characters to teach hard life lessons through parable-like tales. Her many interesting illustrations help to bring her dynamic personality to the book.
The Today, People’s Life & Joseph K’s Life
by Joseph K
Joseph’s incredibly striking illustrations help convey the action and emotions in his two stories. The first is a difficult parable about two brothers and their struggle get along. The second is about a boy following his love of art to find success despite his parents’ disapproval.
by Samuel Anzo Aguani
Samuel’s memoir details his early life in South Sudan, his first impressions of Nakivale, and his family and school life in Uganda. He shares additional stories and poems, all brought to life through his delightful illustrations.
The Growing Gold
The Ruthless Exit
by Mugisha Kevine
Kevine’s touching memoir describes fleeing in the night with her family when war comes to their doorstep, and the images that still haunt her.
Stop Social Conflicts
by Ephreme Lwaboshi
Ephreme’s memoir is made up of 8 different stories, exploring the conflicts that forced him to leave the Democratic Republic of Congo, environmental issues, and his charitable work.
Keza the Visual Artist and Brenda’s Outcome
by Learkey Nathalie
Nathalie’s first story describes how a young girl finds solace, purpose, and success when she discovers her talent for visual art. The second is a cautionary tale about a problem that many young people have seen play out among their friends; young women going to the city to seek opportunities but instead contracting HIV.
Life After School
by Jean Jacques Mulanga
Mulanga’s beautifully illustrated book tells two stories, one detailing the choices that come after finishing secondary school. The second is about a young boy talented in both art and music and how he brought joy to his community.
My Vision and My Focus
by Aksanti Mwikiza
Aksanti’s memoir begins with a story about his desire to learn English and computer skills while growing up in Congo and seeing those dreams come true in Uganda. He concludes with two charming animal parables, The Lion and the Thief, and The Bad Thinking of the Goat.
The Road
by Ihirkie Kellia Ntakhgenga
Kellia’s memoir takes the shape of a long-form poem, reflecting on the challenging journeys we all face in life, whether specifically as a refugee fleeing violence or more broadly pursuing educational success and other dreams.
This Jotter Reveals My Life
by Shobore Mutabesha
Shobore’s memoir combines stories and a poem to convey the ups and downs of her journey, fleeing Congo in the middle of the night, having to leave school during the pandemic, then finding a way to return and discovering an increased drive to succeed.
Not to Fight But Peace
by Ihimbazwe Chretien
Chretien writes in French and English to describe the harrowing first days and nights at a new boarding school, and how he overcame episodes of violence to eventually thrive as a leader of the school and accepted those who had treated him so poorly.
Six Stories by Dorcas Wonder
by Dorcas Wonder
Dorcas’s variety of short stories include animal parables that offer life lessons to short vignettes describing different aspects of her life in Nakivale and the things she holds dear.
People Happy with the Achievements of Others
by Onesphor Masinde
Onesphor’s first story, written in Swahili and English, describes the persistence it takes to pursue your creative and educational goals when resources are limited. He also includes two parables about family, and community.
Talk to Me & Take Care of Us
by Jonathan Chamayombe Bahizi
Jonathan shares two stories: the first a tribute to his pet cat, the second a reflection on the impact of pollution, deforestation, bush burning, and poor sewage disposal have on life in small villages.
The Amazing Moments
by Regina Lyras
Regina’s sweet memoirs tells four stories that explore her growth in school finding a path to thriving in math through creativity and art, her passion for the sport of volleyball, the joy of friendship and love of home.
The Story Book
by Pius
Pius’s stories, told in Swahili and English and delightfully illustrated, explore the many different ways family’s respond to the adversity and loss that inevitably enters in to each of our lives.