Refugee Scholarships - Kakuma

The Need

The UN reports that only 23% of refugee adolescents go to school. This is not because they don't want to go to school. The primary barrier is cost (e.g. school fees, uniforms, books, transportation, etc.). The need is greatest among refugee girls. In Kenya, there are only 4 refugee girls enrolled in secondary school for every 10 refugee boys. [Click here for more related information]

In 2018, National Presbyterian Church (Washington, D.C.) initiated a partnership with IAFR to begin this scholarship program by commiting to sponsoring 5 forcibly displaced girls in Kakuma, Kenya.

In close consultation with National Council of Churches Kenya (NCCK), our primary partner in Kakuma, IAFR met with Windle International Kenya ( (NCCK), our primary partner in Kakuma, IAFR met with Windle International Kenya (WIK), a NGO serving refugees in Kakuma that specializes in refugee education. Together we identified three girls from the refugee camp (South Sudanese, Congolese and Burundian) and two girls from the IDP camp as the first scholarship recipients. They began high school in 2019.

The Strategy

We are partnering with Windle International Kenya, an NGO in Kakuma with lots of experience and systems in place to facilitate the refugee scholarship program.

NCCK, our primary NGO partner agency in Kakuma is assisting IAFR with logistics and monitoring of the scholarship program.

The Goal

The cost of sponsoring 1 refugee through four years of secondary boarding school in Kenya is $6,000*. This includes tuition, travel, medical, books, travel, allowance and monitoring.

The need for scholarships is great and we are committed to sponsoring refugee girls through high school as we are able.

*The cost of a scholarship may change pending on actual exchange rates (US dollar to Kenya Shilling).

The Opportunity

We encourage you, your church or small group to consider changing the life of a girl in Kakuma through a secondary school scholarship of $6,000.

Donations can be made online (click the red button above) or visit the Donate page for other ways to give.

Progress

IAFR financial partners made it possible for the first 5 girls to complete their high school education in December 2022 (in spite of the many challenges presented by the Covid pandemic)! Three of the girls graduated with grades qualifying them for university if they find a way to cover the costs. All five girls have been given a gift that will forever change their lives by opening up new opportunities for them and their families!
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IAFR financial partners (and a strong US dollar) made it possible for us to provide three new scholarships in January 2023. Three more refugee girls have been selected and begun their secondary education! May God bless the class of 2026!

Location Served

• Kakuma Refugee Camp, Kenya