In Kakuma refugee camp, in Kenya, amid scorching temperatures and limited internet access, a group of women are engaged in a lesson on digital skills. The course is part of the JRS’s Pathfinder Digital Inclusion Programme (DIP) conducted by JRS in collaboration with Konexio, and addressed to refugee women in Kakuma refugee camp, to connect them with income-generating activities.

Janet is 20 years old and originally from Burundi. She arrived in Kakuma in 2021 with her family, following her father who was already waiting for them in the camp. As the eldest daughter, Janet had taken on great responsibility for her family’s livelihood.

Before joining the course, Janet studied in the morning and worked in the evening as a seamstress to support her family. Now, six months after starting the course, she has enhanced her IT skills and is able to access online job opportunities, contributing more significantly to her own wellbeing and that of her family.

Like Janet, many other students soon after completing the programme succeeded in getting paid jobs online, such as transcriptions, data analysis, and other similar opportunities.

Margaret is a young Sudanese woman, 26 years old, also a firstborn and breadwinner. Originally from Kakuma refugee camp, her family is composed of six people. Despite owning a small shop in the camp to support her family’s income, Margaret had always dreamt about working in IT, but in the camp it was very difficult for her to get such an opportunity. Therefore, when she heard about this new digital inclusion project, she immediately enrolled.

According to Margaret, digital inclusion is important not only because it enables her to turn her passion into her job but also because it contributes to promoting gender equality. She explains that women, in Africa, are thought not to be able to carry out the so-called “men’s jobs.” And IT-related jobs fall into that category. By enrolling in these programmes women are helping to break a harmful stereotype widely spread in the region.

The DIP programme enables participants to access inclusive work opportunities that ensure a balance between family and professional life.

“The impact of these programmes extends far beyond individuals, reaching entire communities and transforming lives,” Janet concludes.

*this story was originally published by JRS eastern Africa.