Refugee-
led
Social
Impact
led
Social
Impact
Action For Refugee Life (AReL)
who we are
We are Action for Refugee Life (AReL), a refugee-led social impact organization founded in 2022 in Kakuma refugee camp striving to build a path to a sustainable and self-reliant future for the refugee community.
AReL provides the necessary tools, resources, and support to refugees at the individual, household, and community levels, with the aim of capacitating them to achieve economic and social self-sufficiency. This will enable them to meet essential needs in a sustainable and dignified manner.
Action for Refugee Life (AReL) offers a range of on-campus digital training courses that focus on skill enhancement, job market readiness, mentorship, postgraduation support, and entrepreneurship assistance. The organization's comprehensive program guides students from enrollment to job placement. This includes diverse digital and technical courses tailored to market demands, thorough orientation, practical training enriched by a global industry-focused professional network, and simulated real-world scenarios. The organization supports graduates transitioning into the workplace, offering assistance through designated ambassadors. Moreover, AReL fosters self-sufficiency by promoting entrepreneurial endeavors within the refugee community.
About Kakuma
Kakuma Camp was established in Turkana County, one of the poorest counties in Kenya, in 1992. The camp is located in a semi-arid region in northwest Kenya.
The host community in the area is largely made up of Turkana residents who are pastoralists and lead semi-nomadic lifestyles. These residents live in small villages without access to basic amenities such as running water or electricity. As of December 30th, 2022, the Kakuma camp and the nearby Kalobeyei settlement have a combined population of 248,929 refugees.
The majority of the refugees in the camp are from South Sudan, Sudan, Somalia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Ethiopia, and Uganda. These individuals fled their home countries due to ongoing conflicts that have lasted for decades.
Our Vision
Our Mission
Our Goal
Problem Statements
Shedding light on critical issues spanning healthcare, education, basic services, economy, environmental planning, sanitation, camp permanency, and aid dependency, that impact the lives of displaced individuals.
-
Healthcare
-
Education
-
Services
-
Economy
-
City Planning
-
Environmental Challenges
-
Sanitation
-
Camp Permanency
-
Aid Dependency
-
Documentation Challenges
-
Access to Finance
-
Skills Supply-Demand Gap
-
Gender and Cultural Norms
-
Mobility Constraints
-
Infrastructure Limitations
-
Potential Employer Concerns
Healthcare
Limited access to comprehensive, quality healthcare services in refugee camps severely hampers the overall well-being of the residents and exacerbates the risk of widespread health crises.
Education
Inadequate educational opportunities and resources in refugee camps hinder growth and the development of skills essential for refugees to secure a better future and become self-reliant.
Services
The lack of basic utilities, such as reliable electricity and power supply, within refugee camps restricts the ability of refugees to engage in productive activities, and hampers the overall quality of life.
Economy
The limited opportunities for economic engagement within and around refugee camps keep residents in a continuous cycle of poverty, further stalling their progress towards economic self-reliance.
City Planning
The lack of effective city planning within refugee camps exacerbates existing living challenges, contributing to overcrowding, poor sanitation, environmental hazards, and limited access to services.
Environmental Challenges
Regular occurrences of flooding due to poor environmental planning pose significant threats to life and property within refugee camps, disrupting everyday activities and heightening the vulnerability of residents.
Sanitation
Poor sanitation conditions in refugee camps significantly contribute to health risks and disease outbreaks, undermining residents' quality of life and posing serious public health challenges.
Camp Permanency
The originally temporary refugee camps have now existed for decades, resulting in several generations being born and raised in these environments. This has established a cycle of permanency, severely limiting the residents' opportunities for socio-economic advancement and integration into broader society.
Aid Dependency
The predominant reliance on unpredictable and often insufficient aid from humanitarian organizations has led to a chronic state of insecurity and vulnerability among refugees, obstructing their progress towards economic self-reliance and societal autonomy.
Documentation Challenges
The complexity of acquiring and renewing refugee identification, obtaining movement passes, business licenses, and work permits presents significant hurdles for refugees. These documentation challenges obstruct their legal and social integration and limit their opportunities for economic participation and mobility.
Access to Finance
Refugees face substantial barriers to financial inclusion due to rigid know-your-customer (KYC) requirements and difficulties surrounding refugee documentation. These barriers restrict refugees' access to essential financial services from banks and micro-finance institutions, thereby confining their economic progress and undermining their ability to achieve financial independence.
Skills Supply-Demand Gap
A mismatch between the resident skills within the camp and actual market demand perpetuates a cycle of underemployment among refugees. The saturation of certain skills against the backdrop of inadequate demand in the job market leads to wasted potential and continues to stifle economic growth and self-sufficiency within the refugee community.
Gender and Cultural Norms
Existing gender and cultural biases within the refugee community often disproportionately burden women with familial responsibilities. This negatively impacts their opportunities for education and entrepreneurship, hindering their socio-economic progress and limiting their potential for self-reliance. This issue not only creates gender disparities but also perpetuates a cycle of poverty and dependency within refugee families.
Mobility Constraints
Despite recent legislative shifts, the residual impact of legacy encampment policies continues to limit refugees' mobility and hinders the effective movement and distribution of goods, services, and resources. While digital economy options offer partial solutions, considerable work remains to ensure physical mobility, a key to bolstering refugees' economic participation and self-sufficiency.
Infrastructure Limitations
The distant location of Kakuma camps from Nairobi poses serious challenges to acquiring basic infrastructure like computers and stable internet connectivity, making digital work difficult for the refugees.
Potential Employer Concerns
Private sector employers express concerns over the return on investment in training refugees, indicating the need for refugees to possess basic digital skills and reliable access to digital devices. The challenge of providing specialized on-the-job training is also significant.
Leadership Team
Mauridi Kiza
Mauridi Kiza, a young refugee at Kakuma camp, is an undergraduate student at Southern New Hampshire University, pursuing a BA in management focused on logistics and operation. With six years of teaching experience, Kiza became an IT coach at the UNHCR-Vodafone Instant Network School. Witnessing refugees' economic struggles, Kiza founded "Action for Refugee Life to foster sustainable economic advancement. Kiza is dedicated to improving the refugee community's living standards. Additionally, Kiza manages Elimisha Kakuma in Kenya, that provides access to higher education opportunities for high school graduates living in Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya
Jack Elliot
Jack is the founder of the global award-winning charity, CSRN, and a technology Investment Banker from London. His expertise includes organizational strategy, data science, and managerial finance. Recognized by the UK Prime Minister for his pro-bono consultancy to charities impacted by crises, Jack now serves as the Head of the Advisory Board at AReL, refining and executing its strategy.
Elijah Musee
Elijah Musee is a specialist in audit and financial risk advisory management with seven years of experience in not-for-profit audit and portfolio management. Their expertise spans across several sectors including WASH, Health, Education, Social Protection, and Agriculture in the Eastern African region, with proficiency in languages like English and Kiswahili. They excel in operations around grants management, finance and accountancy, strategic financial advisory, internal audit, and team management.
Philip Black
Philip is an experienced consultant in Elixirr Consulting, specializing in global business and technology transformation projects. He also has a background in digital learning, technology research, and training design. Additionally, he serves as the Director of Partnerships and Networks for CSRN, managing global corporate and non-profit partners, and is a One Young World Ambassador and RISE Youth Thought Leader.
Zehn Baskerville, PMP
Zehn is a multi-industry multi-award-winning product developer and certified PMP. His skills encompass product development (BaaS), web development, project management, digital marketing, business consulting, and leadership. These broad expertise across multiple related domains has helped him transform and scale some of the fastest growing businesses in North America (according to Inc.)
Chioma Chimezie
The Lead Project Manager at Action for Refugee Life (AReL) is responsible for overseeing and coordinating the planning, execution, and completion of key projects within the organization. This role involves providing critical feedback and guidance to the executive team around the organization’s various endeavors, leading project teams, setting timelines, overseeing work assignments, and ensuring that all projects align with AReL’s mission and strategic objectives. The Lead Project Manager collaborates closely with stakeholders, addresses challenges, and is crucial in driving project success, fostering collaboration, and ensuring that AReL’s initiatives have a lasting impact on the refugee community.
Amina Birungi Mothupi
The Director of Partnerships at Action for Refugee Life (AReL) is responsible for cultivating strategic relationships that support the organization’s mission. This role involves identifying partnership opportunities, securing funding, and developing proposals to engage collaborators. The Director also manages partnership strategies and budgets, fosters strong relationships, and collaborates across teams to ensure alignment with AReL’s goals. As AReL grows, the Director will play a key role in building and leading the Partnership team.
Lilian Maina
The Director of Operations at Action for Refugee Life (AReL) oversees the organization’s day-to-day operations, ensuring they are efficient, effective, and aligned with AReL’s mission. This role involves implementing business strategies, managing operational plans and procedures, and addressing logistical challenges within the Kakuma Refugee Camp. The Director works closely with the management team and the Board to drive strategic planning, optimize resource allocation, and enhance operational systems. Additionally, they will supervise and mentor the Operations Assistant, promote staff development, and ensure compliance with local laws and regulations.
Anne Karimi
The Director of Marketing at Action for Refugee Life (AReL) establishes and leads the organization’s marketing function. This role involves designing and executing comprehensive social marketing strategies, managing the brand image, and leading digital campaigns to amplify AReL’s mission. The Director will also engage with strategic partners, oversee the creation of marketing materials, and report on campaign performance. As AReL grows, the Director will build and lead a marketing team, ensuring alignment with the organization’s goals and values.
James Anzuruni
The IT Manager at Action for Refugee Life (AReL) is responsible for managing and overseeing all aspects of the organization’s information technology infrastructure. This role includes ensuring the reliability and security of IT systems, managing software and hardware resources, and providing technical support to staff and program participants. The IT Manager works closely with the operations team to implement technology solutions that enhance organizational efficiency and support AReL’s mission. They also lead efforts to improve connectivity and digital access within the Kakuma Refugee Camp, playing a vital role in enabling the successful delivery of AReL’s programs and services.
Abigael Rop
The Learning and Development Manager at Action for Refugee Life (AReL) oversees the design and implementation of educational programs within the Kakuma Refugee Camp. This role involves assessing community learning needs, developing relevant curricula, and ensuring training programs are effective and accessible. The Manager collaborates with local stakeholders and instructors to empower refugees with essential skills, monitors program effectiveness, and supports educators in fostering economic and social empowerment within the community.
Nyasunday Bol Mayath
The Operations Assistant at Action for Refugee Life (AReL) supports the day-to-day operational activities, ensuring smooth program delivery and resource management within the Kakuma Refugee Camp. Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer (COO), this role involves coordinating organizational plans, maintaining operational records, and assisting in implementing strategies to enhance operational efficiency. The Operations Assistant also plays a key role in managing resource distribution, supporting procurement processes, and addressing logistical challenges to contribute to the overall success of AReL’s mission.
Nyankiir Chol
The Local Partnership Assistant at Action for Refugee Life (AReL) supports the Director of Partnerships in cultivating and maintaining strategic relationships within the Kakuma Refugee Camp. This role involves identifying partnership opportunities, assisting with drafting agreements, and managing local stakeholder engagement. The assistant also serves as the primary contact for visiting partners, providing insights into the local context and ensuring smooth coordination between AReL and its partners. Their on-ground presence in Kakuma is essential for fostering strong relationships and enhancing the impact of AReL’s initiatives.
Khalthom Abakar
The Local Project Manager at Action for Refugee Life (AReL) is responsible for tailoring and implementing project strategies that meet the unique needs of the Kakuma Refugee Camp. This role involves coordinating with local stakeholders, managing resources, and ensuring that project goals align with local priorities and the organization’s broader objectives. The Project Manager oversees project progress, addresses challenges, and ensures timely delivery while communicating clearly with leadership and stakeholders. Post-project evaluations are conducted to identify areas for improvement, fostering continuous learning and development for future initiatives.
Etungano Kiza Ramazani
The HR Assistant at Action for Refugee Life (AReL) supports the human resources function by handling a variety of administrative and HR-related tasks within the organization. This role includes assisting with recruitment, onboarding new team members, maintaining employee records, and ensuring compliance with HR policies and procedures. The HR Assistant works closely with the management team to support staff development, address employee inquiries, and help foster a positive and inclusive work environment. Their efforts are essential in ensuring that AReL’s team is well-supported, enabling the organization to achieve its mission effectively.
Byaombe Furaha
The Logistics Assistant at Action for Refugee Life (AReL) plays a key role in managing and coordinating the logistics of daily operations within the Kakuma Refugee Camp. This role involves overseeing the distribution and allocation of resources, managing inventory, and ensuring that supplies and materials are delivered where needed promptly and efficiently. The Logistics Assistant works closely with the operations team to address logistical challenges, supports procurement processes, and maintains accurate records to ensure smooth and effective operations. Their efforts contribute to the overall mission of empowering refugees and ensuring the success of AReL’s programs.