Gender inequality continues to be a pressing issue globally, and this is particularly evident in refugee and host communities. Women and girls in these spaces face immense challenges, yet they continue to drive change through leadership, advocacy, and creativity.   

Kakuma Refugee Camp, in northwestern Kenya, is home to thousands of refugees fleeing conflict and instability from countries like South Sudan, Somalia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.  

Cecilia and Hope are among the more than 5,000 girls supported in their secondary education in Kakuma refugee camp. By providing scholarships, learning materials, and safe learning environments, JRS ensures that students receive a quality education and opportunities for growth. Additionally, mentorship programmes, life skills training, career guidance, and co-curricular activities equip these young leaders with the tools they need to thrive. 

Cecilia, Aspiring Surgeon and Education Advocate

Cecilia is a young leader driven by her passion for education and gender equality. Growing up in Kakuma, she faced immense challenges, including missing out on school at an early age due to conflict and family struggles in her motherland. Yet, even before she fully understood what schooling meant, she was captivated by the English she heard in cartoons, dreaming of the day she could speak fluently. It was in those same moments that her dream of becoming a surgeon was born; watching animated characters perform heroic acts of healing sparked a lifelong ambition. 

Despite inconsistent access to education in primary school, Cecilia never wavered in her pursuit of knowledge. She believes that education is more than just learning, it is a powerful tool to break cycles of poverty and displacement. Today, she stands as an advocate for girls’ education, determined to inspire other young refugee girls to chase their dreams fearlessly. 

“If your dreams don’t scare you, then you’re not dreaming big enough. I urge every girl to wake up and chase her dreams” – Cecilia.

Hope, Gender Equality Advocate and Mentor 

Passionate about mentorship and leadership, Hope is dedicated to helping young girls find their voices and embrace their potential. 

Her journey has not been easy. As a child, she endured unimaginable distress during her experience of displacement. For a time, Hope lost hope. But in the midst of darkness, she found light — the support of her mother and the education she received enabled her to reclaim her future. 

Today, Hope stands as a guidance and counselling champion in her school, a Girls’ Youth Club leader, and a fierce advocate for gender equality. She knows firsthand the struggles of displacement and the power of education and mentorship in shaping brighter futures.  

“Our Voices are not Just echoes in the wind. They are the seeds of change, the foundation of better tomorrow”– Hope .