Our History
Our History
UNCC – United Nationals Country-less Children was born from war, loss, and the unshakable resilience of people who have lived their entire lives in conflict.
For senior refugees and veterans, war has not been a moment in time—it has been the backdrop of every stage of life. Many were born in war, raised in war, served in war, and aged in war, only to be displaced once again in their senior years. Their lives reflect an enduring struggle for dignity, identity, and a sense of belonging.
The aftermath of World War I and II marked the beginning of the modern refugee crisis. As borders were redrawn and nations rebuilt, millions of people—especially elders and war-affected children—were left stateless, voiceless, and unsupported. They became known as the country-less, forgotten in the shadows of post-war progress. But from those ashes, a different kind of organisation would emerge—one created by survivors, for survivors.
A Movement Rooted in Lived Experience
In 2017, Rhoda Musyimi, a refugee caregiver and survivor of childhood abuse in Kenya, launched UNCC–Kenya. Her deep understanding of trauma and her professional experience working with vulnerable children gave rise to a vision centered on intergenerational care. Rhoda recognised that elder refugees are not burdens—but keepers of culture, healing, and resilience. Through her leadership, UNCC–Kenya created safe spaces where senior refugees mentor and nurture child mothers, orphaned children, and those displaced by war. Her lived experience and unwavering compassion continue to shape UNCC’s mission today.
In 2022, Kevin Nabbowa, a war orphan and survivor of child neglect and abuse in Uganda, founded UNCC–Uganda. Having grown up in hardship himself, Kevin understood what it meant to be invisible in systems designed to forget. He created UNCC as a way to serve senior refugees, abandoned children, persons with disabilities, and child mothers—those who often fall through the cracks of formal humanitarian responses. From Rhino Camp to Terego and beyond, UNCC–Uganda has become a vital lifeline in Uganda’s refugee-hosting regions.
In 2023, UNCC–Uganda received its official operational permit and registration, affirming its credibility as a refugee-led, volunteer-driven humanitarian organisation. This recognition allowed the organisation to expand its services, build stronger partnerships, and align with national and international standards of accountability.
Global Coordination and Support
At the international level, UNCC–Australia acts as the coordinating and oversight body for the network. It supports regional branches by providing:
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Volunteer monitoring and field support
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Medical equipment and mobility aids for elderly and disabled refugees
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Educational materials and assistive learning devices for children and youth
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Fundraising, logistics, and cross-border compliance with international humanitarian frameworks
All resources are needs-based and community-requested, with materials shipped, tracked, and distributed to ensure equitable access and impact. This system guarantees that no elder, child, or family is left without critical care, education, or mobility support.
A Legacy of Care, A Future of Dignity
UNCC stands today as a testament to the enduring spirit of displaced communities. Built by those who have suffered and survived, it reimagines humanitarian aid as solidarity, not charity.
We believe in a world where every elder is honoured, every child is protected, and no one is forgotten—regardless of borders, status, or circumstance.
UNCC is not just a name.
It is a promise:
To care for the missus and the kids. To protect the elders. To rebuild, together.


Our History
1918 – The Origins of Refugee Displacement
The end of World War I created one of the first global refugee crises. Millions were forced from their homes. Many of today’s senior refugees trace their heritage to this time of great loss.

1945 – Post–World War II Displacement
War reshaped nations, and with them, the lives of entire generations. Aged veterans, widows, and war orphans became refugees overnight—some never returned to their homelands.

1980s–2000s – Africa’s Forgotten Conflicts
From the Horn of Africa to Central and East Africa, waves of violence uprooted communities. Many elder refugees today were once child soldiers, caregivers, or war victims—now living their final years in camps, once again displaced.

2022 – UNCC is Founded
Driven by his own experience of abandonment and loss, Kevin Nabbowa founded UNCC in Uganda. His goal: to provide care, connection, and protection for the most overlooked—seniors, disabled persons, orphaned children, and young mothers.


2017 – Kenya Program Launched
With the leadership of Rhoda Musyim, UNCC expanded to Kenya, creating programs where elders mentor refugee children, act as caregivers, and pass on oral histories through recorded storytelling and community circles.

2023 – UNCC Uganda Becomes Official
UNCC–Uganda received its full permit and legal registration from the Ugandan NGO Board, allowing it to scale up operations in Terego, Rhino Camp, and seven other districts, working in coordination with humanitarian actors and local leadership.
What We Do: Our Core Programs
1. Emergency Response
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Rapid shelter for displaced elderly and child-headed households
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Urgent support during floods, evictions, or camp evacuations
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Distribution of non-food items (NFIs) to widows, seniors, and disabled refugees
2. Health
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Mobile clinics for bedridden seniors
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Monthly free psychotherapy sessions
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Access to mobility aids, vision care tools, and wound dressings
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Referral networks for chronic and urgent care
3. Education
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Inclusive education support for refugee children and young mothers
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School kits and uniforms for displaced learners
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Life-skills training led by senior mentors
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Provision of assistive learning devices for children with disabilities
4. Livelihoods
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Microgrants and training for elder-led enterprises
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Community gardens and food security initiatives
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Vocational skills for young refugee mothers
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Employing seniors as cultural educators and local advisors
5. Child Protection
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Safe shelters for unaccompanied minors
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Trauma-informed care for abused children and mothers
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Legal and documentation support for stateless or undocumented children
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Referral pathways to family reunification and guardianship
Today
UNCC is a regional humanitarian organisation led by refugees and survivors, operating with grassroots integrity and global coordination. From Uganda to Kenya, and supported from UNCC–Australia, we:
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Ship and track medical, educational, and mobility equipment
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Empower volunteers to lead community-driven response
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Celebrate seniors as the heart of healing and continuity
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Rebuild dignity—one elder, one child, one family at a time
We believe in keeping the promise of care—not just in words, but in action.
When the world forgets its elders, we remember. When systems overlook the displaced, we serve. When hope is lost, we carry it forward—together.
