Development and Empowerment of Society
Creating a better life for the residents of the United Nations Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya, Africa / Karibu katika Maendeleo na U wezeshaji wa Jamii, shirika la jamii linalofanya mabadiliko huko Kakuma.
Refugees count on donations from outside UNHCR camps to supplement the currently reduced food assistance programs. However, money is not the only form of support that can be given. Over the past few weeks, we have been working with people who share their skills, creativity and knowledge. This week, Kadjosi tells us about the contribution of two allies from India: Ranjeet Shabag and Mrinalini Nigde.
Volunteers are the lifeblood of NGOs. Since arriving at the Kakuma UNHCR camp, Kadjosi Matabishi Mzaliwa has worked tirelessly to improve the life and self-reliance of his fellow refugees. However, according to human rights organizations, funding for refugee projects such as those offered by DES is currently facing significant challenges. There is a projected drop …
Continue reading "Volunteers Secure Futures: Financial Aid for Kakuma Refugee Helpers"
After a long and arduous journey, Kadjosi Mzaliwa, his cousin, his step sister and her baby daughter find food and shelter at the UNHCR station. Being Welcomed as Refugees As we were being escorted with that woman to the UNHCR Gate, our hearts were full of fear, exhaustion, and the pain of a long journey …
Continue reading "The Making of a Refugee: A Journey of Pain and Hope, Part 4 – Guilty Comfort"
Nine days without food, shelter, or even a blanket—this was how Kadjosi Matabishi and his family began their life in Kenya. They slept on the cold floor of an unfinished building, clinging to hope while the wind pierced their bones. Then, a kind stranger led them to the UNHCR office, where they discovered that humanity could still shine even in the darkest of times. Today, that same hope is fading in Kakuma Refugee Camp. Funding cuts have left thousands of families—children, mothers, and the elderly—without enough food to survive. Hunger is spreading despair, violence, and exploitation. Yet, just as one woman’s compassion changed Kadjosi’s life, your support can change theirs. Together, we can restore Kakuma as a true place of refuge—where hope grows instead of hunger.
Since the late 1990s, over 7 million people have been displaced within the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) due to ongoing conflict. Kadjosi Matabishi Mzaliwa, only 19 years old, experienced this turmoil firsthand. This is part 2 of his story, which illustrates not just resilience but also the importance of our identities. What does your name mean? How do you contribute to the world?
Kadjosi Matabishi Mzaliwa’s powerful refugee story sheds light on the humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the ongoing challenges in Kenya’s Kakuma refugee camp. Fleeing militia conscription at 19, Kadjosi now leads a grassroots refugee advocacy initiative focused on food security, self-reliance, and sustainable aid. Discover how community-led humanitarian efforts like the DES Food Forest are transforming lives in exile.
The food crisis in Kakuma Refugee Camp, Kenya, is worsening, affecting thousands, particularly vulnerable groups. The World Food Program's limited rations are leaving many without help. DES, a refugee-led organization, faces challenges as staff prioritize feeding their families. Donations to the DES Kakuma Famine Relief Fund are urgently needed.
Your contribution to the DES Kakuma Famine Relief Fund helps shape the resilience of refugee children as they learn how to grow their own food.
Since the beginning of our Permaculture Initiative in Kakuma Refugee Camp, we have trained over 374 individuals in sustainable farming practices. Many of them have taken the knowledge to heart and started their own small gardens in their compounds. These gardens have not only produced vegetables but also brought hope, dignity, and resilience to families …
Continue reading "Help Support Urgent Sustainable Farming Initiatives for Refugees"
Children in Kakuma’s DES programs are learning through handmade art using flowers and leaves—even as food rations are cut. This month’s nature-inspired craft celebrates creativity, resilience, and the healing power of making. Join us in supporting their growth.
