Lovemore-dev/refugeeconnect-uganda

# RefugeeConnect Uganda A comprehensive platform connecting refugees in Uganda with essential services, information, and community support. This application provides AI-powered assistance, information hub, service directory, and community features to help refugees navigate life in Uganda. ## Features - 🤖 **AI Assistant**: Get instant answers to questions in multiple languages (English, Swahili, Luganda, Arabic, and more) - 📚 **Information Hub**: Access important information about registration, legal rights, healthcare, education, employment, and more - 🏥 **Services Directory**: Find and access various services available to refugees - 👥 **Community**: Connect with other refugees, join community groups, and share experiences - 🚨 **Emergency Contacts**: Quick access to emergency services and contacts - 🌍 **Multi-language Support**: Available in English, Kiswahili, Luganda, Acholi, Arabic, and more - 📱 **Responsive Design**: Works on desktop, tablet, and mobile devices ## Prerequisites Before you begin, ensure you have the following installed: - **Node.js** (v14 or higher) - **MongoDB** (v4.4 or higher) - Make sure MongoDB is running on your system - **npm** (comes with Node.js) ## Installation 1. **Clone or navigate to the project directory** ```bash cd "Capstone Project" ``` 2. **Install dependencies** ```bash npm install ``` 3. **Set up environment variables** - Copy `.env.example` to `.env` ```bash copy .env.example .env ``` - Edit `.env` and update the following: - `MONGODB_URI`: Your MongoDB connection string (default: `mongodb://localhost:27017/refugeeconnect`) - `SESSION_SECRET`: A random secret string for session encryption - `OPENAI_API_KEY`: Your OpenAI API key (required for AI Assistant feature) - `PORT`: Server port (default: 5000) 4. **Create necessary directories** ```bash mkdir -p refugeeconnect-uganda/uploads/information mkdir -p public ``` ## Running the Application ### Development Mode ```bash npm run dev ``` This will start the server …