Celebrating 'Hope Away from Home' with the Creative Gateway Program this World Refugee Day 2024.

A street in Kakuma.

When you land at the small airstrip in Kakuma, you’re immediately hit by the harsh reality of the environment. The landscape is incredibly dry— it’s bone-dry.

There’s barely any vegetation, just stretches of barren land with a few scant, struggling shrubs. The air is hot and dusty, making it hard to breathe if you’re not accustomed to these conditions.

You can feel the relentless sun beating down, and the arid wind carries with it a sense of sadness.

It’s a tough place to live, and the challenges are clear from the moment you arrive.

In fact, at the security briefing, first-timers are casually informed, “Watch out for the scorpions. They're everywhere.”

If Kakuma appears welcoming, it means the place you left behind was unimaginably tough.

Almost everyone arriving in Kakuma has fled from regions plagued by daily threats of violence, including murder, rape, mutilation, and widespread abuse. Sometimes refugees flee because the homes they leave behind lay devastated by famine, drought, or natural calamities, compelling them to seek refuge in search of safety.

For many, leaving behind their homes means leaving behind not just some family members and physical structures but also the very schools and educational systems that once nurtured their intellectual growth.

"When I first arrived in Kakuma, I had no idea if I would ever go back to school or learn again. Everything was uncertain, and I felt lost without the familiar classrooms and teachers who had guided me back home. It was a difficult change, leaving behind not just my home but also the hope of continuing my education. But slowly, Kakuma started to become a place of refuge, and also a place where I could rebuild my dreams from scratch."

Despite the harsh environment and uncertain educational systems, victim mentality is a rarity here.

From our students at Creative Gateway to many others in the community, the inhabitants of Kakuma refuse to be defined solely as refugees.

They have ambitions and dreams; aspiring to become future freelancers, teachers, and entrepreneurs. They hold on determinedly to visions of a brighter tomorrow.

Despite the misconception, Kakuma’s youth also don’t want handouts.

What they desire is help so that they can acquire skills that will allow them to create and build a future for themselves and their communities.

The theme for the 2024 World Refugee Day is “Hope Away from Home’’.

World Refugee Day, celebrated each year on June 20th, celebrates the strength and courage of refugees.

True, the youth community in Kakuma faces immense challenges and carries with them harrowing past experiences, yet they deserve opportunities to rebuild their lives and forge a brighter future.

At the Creative Gateway, we are equipping youth in Kakuma with digital skills that level the playing field and bridge the gap with their peers across the rest of the country, who have more access to technology and earning opportunities.

Empowering Kakuma’s youth with these digital skills promotes self-sufficiency, reducing their reliance on aid and charity. By providing practical training and fostering independence, we empower them to forge their own paths and improve their future prospects for themselves and their communities.

We're already witnessing success with our first and second cohorts, and we're preparing to welcome a third group, further expanding our impact.

Our students, many of whom are learning 3D modeling for the first time, continue to impress with their dedication. Despite challenges like security concerns and transportation issues that are often beyond their control, they consistently show up for class, diligently complete assignments, and handle their gig work with a high level of professionalism.

To say we are proud would be an understatement.

We rely on your support to sustain our training efforts.

As our student numbers increase, so does our need for technology.

Specifically, we require laptops to accommodate our growing cohorts comfortably and without restrictions, enabling them to continue learning, as well as working on their gigs independently.

We welcome support from tech companies and individuals alike to help us provide the necessary resources for our students' education and professional growth.

It’s also important to mention that the cornerstone of the Creative Gateway program is employment.

Following their training, our aim is to link our 3D modelling graduates with ethical creative companies in the Nordics for remote gigs or freelancing opportunities.

We seek tips from 3D modeling experts and industry professionals to ensure a steady stream of gigs for our new graduates. Additionally, we are looking for mentors who can provide guidance and support to our graduates as they navigate their careers in the creative industry.

If you are a 3D modeling expert, industry professional, or mentor willing to support our cause, please reach out to us at vincent@ambitiousafrica.org.

Your expertise and mentorship can make a huge influence on the futures of our talented graduates.  Together, let’s continue to build pathways where young refugees can succeed in today’s creative field.