Education and Empowerment for Refugee Girls

This is the story of Jamila, who is 20 years old and from the Democratic Republic of Congo. She wrote her story by herself in English. English is her second language. 

***

I came to Heshima Kenya in July of 2014 after being forced to flee to Nairobi, Kenya from the Congo. I was rescued form the slums by Heshima Kenya case workers, who took me to their Safe House. I stayed in the Safe House for five months. I was given shelter, food, clothing, and a sense of community at the Safe House.

At the Safe House I was also taught to live with other girls from many different countries, and how to be social and interact even though we had all never met. I was enrolled in Level One of the Girls Empowerment Program (GEP) for my basic education the same year.  My teachers taught me English and Kiswahili, as well as other basic subjects.  In 2015, I transitioned to Level  and in 2016 I joined Level 3 where I was registered for the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE). While enrolled in basic education, I also engaged in in vocational training classes, where I received tailoring and needle skills as well as the skills to tie and dye fabrics.

These skills have helped me join the Maisha Collective where myself and other Heshima girls work together to produce dyed fabrics. We have also gained business and entrepreneurial skills as well as the technical knowledge. The stipend I receive helps me pay for the living expenses I may have, and I no longer depend on food and financial assistance from Heshima Kenya like I did when I first arrived.

I completed my KCPE in 2016 and I passed with high marks. I am currently enrolled in Form 1 of Level Four of GEP and I hope to finish my secondary education in a few years.

I am happy for the education, skills, and family I have received here at Heshima, and I know they will all be useful in my future. I thank Heshima Kenya for being there for me when I needed help the most. May God bless this organization and their staff and continue to help girls like me.  I would like to establish and run my own fashion design business when I graduate from the program.