The project objective is to improve success at school to enable a cohort of girls to take remedial classes at the primary level. Emphasis was placed on raising the awareness of parents and members of the community and on getting them involved in girls’ education.

Kakuma Refugee Camp is located in northwest Kenya in the Turkana District, close to the border with South Sudan. The camp was established in 1992 following the arrival of refugees from Sudan (now Sudan and South Sudan) but the camp today consists of people from different parts of Africa : South Sudan, Somalia, Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia and Burundi but also people from Rwanda, Eritrea, Zimbabwe, Uganda and Tanzania.  As of April 2014, it has a population of 151,114. Between 100 and 500 refugees register as new arrivals each day. As at 4th January 2014, there was a total of 2,858 unaccompanied children and 9,534 separated children registered. The camp also has a large infant population, about 15% of the population being between the ages of 0 and 4. Approximately 56% of the population is below the age of 18 and only 1.3% are 60 and above.

Source: UNHCR Report - Kakuma R. Camp Population 2014-04-30.

My name is Leyla Ahmed Ibrahim and I am 18 years old. I am from Somalia. I attend Bahr-El-Naam Primary School and I am in grade 8. I enjoy school, my favourite subject is sciences. I also attend remedial classes and leadership sessions. My goal is to pass the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education exam and enter the secondary school in the camp. My dream is to go back to my country to help my community.

Update: In 2014 Leyla achieved her goal and obtained her certificate. She received a grant to attend the Eluuya Friends Girls Secondary School, a national secondary school in Kenya outside the camp.

My day:

4:00 am: I get up and say a prayer.

5:00 - 6:00 am: I fetch water for breakfast and help my brother get ready for school.

6:00 - 7:00 am: I do my homework.

7:00 - 8:00 am: I walk to school.

8:00 - 4:00 am: I am in class.

10:00 am: I eat a bowl of porridge provided by the World Food Programme.

1:00 pm: My lunch of bread and milk is provided by Windle Trust Kenya.

4:00 pm: Back home, I fetch wood, clean the house and wash clothes.

5:00 - 7:00 pm: I go over my lessons with a friend who lives close by.

7:00 - 8:00 pm: I prepare my family’s meal.

8:00 - 10:00 pm: I study some more or read a novel.

11:00 pm: I go to bed.