Dreams Beyond Kenya's Kakuma Refugee Camp

When Bernard arrived in Kakuma in 2015, life felt almost unbearable.

 “Life was a bit hard as a first-time refugee in Kakuma. I went through a lot of challenges,” he recalls. Having been displaced from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Bernard struggled to adapt. 

He had started school in 2004 in Rugufu Refugee Camp, but never completed primary education before repatriating to Congo. There, he enrolled in school but was again disrupted by conflict and had to seek refuge in Kakuma Refugee Camp. He enrolled in a local primary school but was caught up in the wrong company, and he dropped out of school. 

As a young man and a father, the weight of responsibility quickly fell on his shoulders. Being the sole provider for his family meant finding ways to make ends meet in a new and difficult environment. He dreamed of a better future: “I would love to have my own cyber where I can do printing, photography, editing, branding, designing.” But the journey towards that dream was far from easy.

Bernard faced the harsh reality of limited opportunities in Kakuma. Without formal education, his options were few. The need to provide for his family often forced him to make sacrifices. “With the English course, I had to drop out as I am the sole provider of my family and had to find a way to meet their needs.”

Still, he held on to hope. He wanted to learn, to gain skills that could empower him to create a better life, not just for himself, but for those depending on him.

The turning point came when Bernard enrolled in Resilience Action International’s programs. Through the Global English Learning Program (GEL) and ICT training, he began to build a foundation for his dreams. “ICT taught me how to be computer literate, from creating an email to typing,” he says proudly.

Later, he joined Human on the Loop, where he was introduced to digital life, online presence, annotation, AI, and cybersecurity. “Human on the Loop has helped me navigate the digital life and online presence, and gain new skills in annotation.” After four weeks of training, Bernard was among the chosen students who worked online and earned income for the first time. “I love online work! I can work anywhere, and it eases work tension.”

He didn’t stop there. To diversify his skills, Bernard also enrolled in a hairdressing course, recognising that multiple skills would increase his chances of sustaining his family. “It’s a skill I believe will help me earn money and cater for my needs.”

Today, Bernard looks back with gratitude and determination. He has learned the importance of education and the value of resilience. “I learned the hard way the importance of learning, and I only pray that everyone else does not fall in the wrong company as I did.”

He now urges young people to pursue learning opportunities: “Education is such a good thing. Extra-curricular is good, but so is learning new skills that earn you income.”

Bernard’s story is one of transformation from a young man who almost lost his path to a resilient father equipping himself with digital and vocational skills to build a sustainable future. His journey shows that with the right opportunities, refugees can not only survive but thrive.

Bernard’s dream of owning a cyber café remains alive, but today, he stands more prepared than ever with digital knowledge, practical skills, and a renewed sense of hope.