Women's Sewing Project in Kakuma Refugee Camp

The Kakuma Refugee Camp Women Sewing Project continues to embody resilience and determination despite the many challenges it faces. Initiated to empower women with practical skills in tailoring, the project has offered not only a source of livelihood but also a space for healing, solidarity, and hope among refugee women from diverse backgrounds. Over the past months, the sewing project has faced significant obstacles due to funding shortages, yet the women have refused to let these difficulties deter their mission.

Despite the financial crisis, weekly meetings have been consistently held within the camp. These gatherings have gone beyond sewing practice; they have become circles of support where women share their struggles, encourage one another, and brainstorm creative solutions to keep the project alive. The spirit of togetherness has enabled the group to maintain momentum and explore new avenues, including an innovative plan to begin making reusable sanitary pads. This new focus responds to a critical need within the camp, where many girls and women lack access to safe and affordable menstrual products, often resulting in missed school or health challenges.

The sewing group recognizes that providing reusable sanitary pads will not only address an urgent health and dignity issue but also create an income-generating opportunity for the women. By producing these pads, the group aims to reduce dependency on external aid and foster self-reliance. To achieve this vision, the women are reaching out to potential partners, donors, and well-wishers for financial support to acquire the necessary materials and machines.

Testimonies

Mary, one of the group members from South Sudan, expressed her gratitude for the project:
"This sewing project has been a place where I found sisters. Even when funding stopped, we never stopped meeting. Learning to sew gave me confidence, and now the thought that we can make sanitary pads to help girls in our camp gives me strength to continue. We just need support to make this dream real."

Amina, a young mother a Nuer participant, highlighted the importance of the meetings:
"Sometimes we come to the meetings not just to sew but to talk about our lives. The project keeps us busy and gives us hope. Without it, many of us would be idle and stressed. Now, with the idea of sewing pads, I feel we are doing something that will change lives for the better."

Rebecca, a Dinka participant from South Sudan, shared about the project’s impact:
"I lost everything when I came to Kakuma, but this sewing project gave me skills. Even if we do not have enough machines, we share. We believe one day we will grow bigger. I want to see our pads being used by girls so that no one has to stay home from school because of shame or lack of products."

Conclusion

The Kakuma Refugee Camp Women Sewing Project is a testament to resilience in the face of adversity. While financial constraints remain a pressing challenge, the women’s unwavering commitment demonstrates their readiness to create sustainable solutions for themselves and their community. With the right support, their initiative to produce reusable sanitary pads can transform lives, promote dignity, and open doors for self-reliance among women in Kakuma.

In response to the worsening humanitarian crisis in Kakuma Refugee Camp and Kalobeyei Settlement, our organization conducted six Listening Sessions aimed at supporting refugees who are increasingly vulnerable due to food insecurity, lack of healthcare access, and disrupted education. The sessions targeted 150 participants drawn from previous AVP (Alternatives to Violence Project) and HROC (Healing and Rebuilding Our Communities) trainings. 67 women (30 and above years), 55 men (30 and above year) 45 youth (18-30 years) 2 People with disability. A total of 168 refugees participated in the Listening sessions.

These sessions were implemented amid growing desperation in the camp following the withdrawal of several aid agencies, exacerbated by the ripple effects of American sanctions affecting African countries, including interruptions in USAID funding. The situation is especially dire for women and youth who have lost not only material support but also safe spaces for advocacy and healing.

Listening Sessions, a tool developed in Kenya following the 2007 post-election violence, provided a structured environment for participants to share their pain, reflect on personal and communal challenges, and begin the journey toward healing. Each session included guided empathy exercises, storytelling, and referrals for deeper trauma care and conflict resolution.

THE CHALLENGES WE FACE IN THE KAKUMA REFUGEE CAMP AFTER THE WITHDRAW OF USAID CURRENTLY;

1. Shortage of water and lack of good hygiene led to a high risk of cholera outbreak

2. Insufficient food from the UNHCR leads to a high rate of crimes in the refugee camp

3. Fears and panic attacks on the Refugees by Kenyan police and the host community

4. High risk of death due to poor healthcare and lack of good medicines in the hospital

5. The trauma cases increase because people are more likely traumatized by the current situation in Kakuma

6. High cases of stealing, rape, and robberies due to life struggles.

7. Displacement of Refugees from region to region due to the conflict and flood.

8. Lack of shelter and clothes

9. Children drop out of school due to lack of school fees and hunger.

10. High cases of attempted suicide in the camp because of inadequate funding.

.

Testimonies from the listening sessions

“When we were receiving food, we could at least eat twice a day. Now with just rice and sorghum and no cooking oil, I sometimes go two days without food. I came here for protection, but even my body is no longer safe,” shared Elizabeth, a 34-year-old mother of three from South Sudan. “But this session reminded me I am not alone.”

“I saw pictures of two young men killed during the protest on my daughter’s phone,” said Peter, a HROC facilitator from South Sudan. “We were just standing in solidarity with the women. Since then, I have had nightmares and feared leaving my shelter. This session helped me speak for the first time. I cried in front of strangers and they didn’t judge me.”

Fatuma, a Congolese refugee in Kalobeyei settlement scheme, added, “Back home, we are taught never to speak about emotions. Here, I saw women and men listening to each other, and it made me believe that healing is possible. This space means a lot to me.”

These testimonies are a powerful reminder that listening is not passive—it is active healing. Participants were not only heard but also connected to follow-up services such as counselling, trauma healing groups, and peacebuilding programs under AVP and HROC.

Conclusion and Way Forward

Participants resolutions and desire

1. The return of USAID to the UN AGENCY to support Refugees

2. Provision of water and adequate foods

3. Availability of medicine in the hospitals

4. Funding of schools for children with disability and vulnerability.

5. Availability of more training for Trauma Healing Workshops

6. Provision of shelter and school uniforms to children who drop out of school 

7. Extension of HROC Workshop to South Sudan to help people who have been experiencing trauma for a long time

8. The support of the HROC to vulnerable facilitators, facilitators with disabilities, and facilitators who are willing to attend further education like college and university

 The Listening Sessions have proven to be an essential intervention during this critical time. They offer more than temporary relief; they lay the foundation for long-term resilience and community restoration. Participants emerged with a renewed sense of dignity, hope, and solidarity