Kakuma KISOM Building Project
For over 20 years, the Kakuma Interdenominational School of Mission (KISOM) met in whatever spaces they could find in the refugee camp, including an abandoned and condemned primary school building. In early 2019, IAFR completed phase I of the building project on a plot of ground just outside of the camp that we helped our refugee partners purchase. We completed phase II of the project in August 2022 - the building of three classrooms on the KISOM campus. We completed phase III when we added a kitchen to the campus in 2023. While the kitchen does not have electricity or running water, it does provide a secure and safe place to prepare meals for gatherings, conferences, youth camp, seminars, etc. The final phase of the project will include adding a library to the campus. We are discussing the plans and related costs with our refugee partner now.
The Opportunity
As they have done for each phase of the project, our refugee church partner has done the work of drafting a detailed budget and securing architectural drawings for the buildings. After assessing the proposal, IAFR plans to supply the funding to turn their dream into reality.
The Goal
Now that the meeting hall, offices, classrooms, and kitchen are completed, we are in the early stages of planning phase III of the project - the addition of a library to the campus. A place offering quality books and resources along with a quiet place for study and prayerful reflection.
The Strategy
IAFR is partnering directly with United Refugee and Host Churches (URHC), our local refugee partner.
The Progress
The purchase of public land and the building of the initial meeting hall, two offices, a guard house, and fencing was completed in 2019. The building of 3 classrooms on the KISOM campus was completed on schedule in August 2022. The addition of a dedicated building for use as a kitchen was completed in 2023. Our refugee partner sent us this video to show building progress as of 1 June 2022. IAFR will visit Kakuma in October and post updated video and images of the classrooms afterward.
