With My Own Two Hands

Developing refugee self-reliance
Refugees and other forcibly displaced people want nothing more than to be independent and self-reliant. JRS provides innovative livelihood programmes, so refugees can fulfill their talents and rebuild their future with their own two hands.
Refugees and other forcibly displaced people deserve their right to work, to share their talents, and to earn a living. In our work accompanying refugees around the world, we seek to provide livelihoods opportunities for them to fulfill their own potential and contribute to society.
For this reason, we launched Pathfinder, a livelihood programme for refugees, piloting in two countries: Kenya, and Malawi. By providing professional and vocational training, start-up support, career counselling and entrepreneurial guidance, we seek to create pathways to self-reliance for refugees so they can become agents of positive change and social transformation.
We believe that more durable and sustainable solutions can be achieved by enhancing refugee self-reliance and easing the pressure on host countries, both key priorities of the Global Compact on Refugees to which JRS is committed.
How can you support refugees self-reliance?
- Share their stories: We can all share stories on our social media accounts to highlight the talents and aspirations of refugees.
- Work your network: We can do more together. Encourage your friends to join or partner with JRS.
- Volunteer locally: JRS is present in over 50 countries around the world. You can get in touch with one of our local offices or any other organisation near you that works with refugees to donate your time.
- Give monthly: Sustained commitments allow JRS to walk alongside refugees as they build a path toward self-reliance.
Campaign Stories
Kenya: The stories behind refugee-made crafts
12 April 2021

Nigeria: Sarah, working again after displacement
12 April 2021

Malawi: Becoming future tech leaders in Dzaleka refugee camp
04 August 2020
