In cooperation with Salesians of Don Bosco in Kenya SAVIO kicked off a new project in Kakuma town which is located in northwest Kenya. The main objective of the project “Vocational education and economic integration program for Kenyan communities and refugees in Turkana County” is to decrease poverty in Turkana County, which is the poorest county of Kenya. The project plans to reach this objective through a new vocational training course as well as activities focused on economic integration of the graduates.
Kakuma town neighbours the Kakuma refugee camp which is home to over 220 thousand refugees and asylum seekers. More than 60% of the camp population is youth under 18 years. As the experience has proven, the most meaningful for refugees in terms of education is building practical skills. Salesians of Don Bosco are the largest provider of vocational education in Kakuma. Their youngest institution is Don Bosco Technical Institute Kakuma, which was established in 2017 thanks to SAVIO and SlovakAid – their mutual project implemented in 2017-2019 in Kakuma town opened the first carpentry course in the school. Today the institute has over 400 students in courses of English, computer skills, ICT, solar technology, electrical course, masonry, plumbing, carpentry, welding, accounting and secretarial skills.
The new project plans to go even further in development efforts of the school and open a new course of dressmaking and fashion design. Local Kenyans from Turkana tribe and refugees from Kakuma will not only gain new skills but will also be involved in economic integration activities. Firstly, new school premises will be built and equipped, and the course of dressmaking and fashion design will be opened. Secondly, the graduates will be supported to become self-employed, so they integrate in the labour market more easily. The project plans to train at least 50 girls and support self-employment among 20 graduates.
The intervention is financed through SlovakAid donation of 199,854 EUR. The implementation period is August 2023 – August 2025.
