Empowering Refugees in Kakuma with Generation Aid

Located in northwestern Kenya, Kakuma Refugee Camp and the surrounding Kalobeyei settlement are home to almost 400,000 refugees from across East and Central Africa. Many residents have spent years in displacement, while access to formal employment, technology, and skills-based education remains limited. For young people and adults alike, gaining practical skills can be an important pathway toward greater independence, employment, and participation in the digital economy. Generation Aid works within this community to create accessible opportunities for refugees to learn, develop new skills, and pursue their own goals.

Notably this year, the first cohort of Generation Aid’s digital literacy program is nearing completion, with almost 100 female refugees learning essential computer and job-preparation skills, some of which recieving jobs as a result. For many participants, this has been their first experience using a computer. The course covers practical skills such as creating CVs and cover letters, building LinkedIn profiles, and navigating Google Docs, Sheets, Forms, Gmail, and other essential digital platforms. Generation Aid has also oficially established a structured English language program for all genders, with Beginner, Pre-Intermediate, and Intermediate levels, giving participants the opportunity to strengthen their communication skills alongside their vocational development. In addition, the establishment of an art gallery has created a new space for story-telling, cultural expression, and community engagement. Support through GlobalGiving allows refugees to continue accessing these vocational and educational opportunities while helping Generation Aid expand into additional programs, such as a child day care center for female students to leave their children and access proper healthcare materials, as well as building a water system for easier access to water within the compound. 

Another addition to Generation Aid's mission is the establihsment of a global internship program, launched in July of 2026. So far, two interns from the United States and France have participated, aiding with teaching English, Digital Literacy, and other administrative and logistical support. The internship has two more expected participants in the coming year, and continues to grow. 

Continued funding will enable more people in Kakuma to develop practical skills, pursue employment and entrepreneurship opportunities, and participate more fully in their communities. By investing in education and skills development, donors are helping create opportunities for continued progress, greater self-reliance, and a more sustainable future for refugees in Kakuma.