Over the past eight months, AIRD’s warehouse operations have received 1,134.8 tons of non-food items, distributing 785 tons to refugee communities across Uganda. These include essentials such as clothing, shoes, blankets, jerrycans, and soap. These items bring comfort, dignity, stability, and a hope for a new beginning to thousands of refugees forced out of their homes in their countries because of conflict.

However, behind every item received is a story that speaks hope to thousands of refugees.

Meet Justin Dagbayosayo, 22, a South Sudanese refugee from the Zande tribe, living in Cluster B of Kiryandongo. He’s the eldest in a family of 12, led by his mother Gloria Boro, who became the head of household after the tragic loss of her husband during the war.

Justin joined AIRD’s warehouse team as a casual laborer and quickly became a standout. Reliable, hardworking, and always ready to lend a hand, he earned a spot on our standby list of trusted workers. Most recently, he was hired to help verify Inditex clothing received from Mombasa, a two-month exercise that gave him the income to support his family, buy books, and invest in his future.

He is a few steps closer to his goal, “to become a doctor and care for his siblings,” and with every shift and every opportunity he gets to work, a leap forward has been achieved.

Justin’s story is more than a personal triumph; it’s a reflection of AIRD’s commitment to pairing humanitarian response with opportunity. Through paid labor, skills building, and consistent engagement, we’re helping young people like Justin turn survival into success.

We’re proud to walk alongside him and many others on this journey.

“When I work at the warehouse, I feel like I’m building something not just for AIRD, but for my family and my future. I want to be a doctor, and this is helping me get there.” Justin says

To our donors and partners, your support makes stories like Justin’s possible. Every dollar and every item contribute to a future where hope is not just delivered but built.