The Illustrated Memoir Project
Changing how refugees think about themselves and how the world thinks about refugees.
Our Approach
We work with immigrant and refugee youth to help them create their own unique illustrated memoirs and develop ways to share those books as educational resources.
Projects in East Africa
Since 2025 we have been running Illustrated Memoir Projects in Nakivale Refugee Settlement in Uganda. In 2027 we plan to expand to other settlements in East Africa.
Projects in the U.S.
Since 2019 we have been working with immigrant and refugee youth in the US through partnerships with public schools.
Documentaries
We currently have two documentaries in post-production.
A feature length film by Camillo Idrobo about the 2025 Aiken High School project and a short by Esther K. Sammy about the project in the Nakivale Refugee Settlement in 2026.
Exhibitions
Traveling exhibitions featuring a large collection of original artwork from the projects in the US and Africa have been shared in a variety of galleries, universities, and arts centers over the past three years.
Storytimes
Students who have completed memoirs through the project travel to schools and community centers to share their stories with other children.
Curriculum
We are currently working with partners in Ohio to develop a middle school world cultures curriculum based on a selection of memoirs from past projects.