The UN reports that only 23% of refugee adolescents go to school. This is not because they don't want to go to school. The primary barrier is cost (e.g. school fees, uniforms, books, transportation, etc.). The need is greatest among refugee girls. In Kenya, there are only 4 refugee girls enrolled in secondary school for every 10 refugee boys. [See http://www.unhcr.org/herturn/ for more related information] In response to this need, we launched a scholarship program in 2018 to sponsor displaced girls in Kakuma (Kenya) through high school. We do this in partnership with Windle International Kenya (www.windle.org), a NGO based in Kenya that specializes in refugee education. National Presbyterian Church (Washington, D.C.) provided funding for the first five girls in Kakuma, Kenya. More financial partners have since joined in this life changing program.

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The Opportunity

We encourage you, your church or small group to consider changing the life of a girl in Kakuma through a secondary school scholarship of $12,100. Donations can be made online or visit the Donate page for other ways to give.

The Goal

The cost of sponsoring 1 refugee through four years of secondary boarding school in Kenya is $12,100*. This includes tuition, travel, medical, books, travel, uniforms, allowance and monitoring. The need for scholarships is great and we are committed to sponsoring refugee girls through high school as we are able. *The cost of a scholarship is subject to change pending on actual exchange rates (US dollar to Kenya Shilling).

The Strategy

We are partnering with Windle International Kenya (www.windle.org), an NGO with an office in Kakuma as they have significant experience and systems in place to facilitate the refugee scholarship program.

The Progress

IAFR financial partners made it possible for the first 5 girls to complete their high school education in December 2022 (in spite of the many challenges presented by the Covid pandemic)! All five girls have been given a gift that will forever change their lives by opening up new opportunities for them and their families! ‍ The following is from two emails that we recently received from one of the graduates. "I’m Michaella, an IAFR graduate student, and I’m pleased to inform you that I’m now in the United States for further studies under the Welcome Corps program. I arrived in January, and we’re currently receiving some great training with SIT (School for International Training) in Vermont before we join our respective colleges and universities. I will be joining Bard College in New York this August and plan to pursue Finance or IT—still undecided. I wanted to thank you all for supporting me throughout my high school journey, which I completed in 2022. If it weren’t for you, I couldn’t have come this far! Thank you so much for volunteering to help someone you didn’t even know—someone unrelated—just out of love. I’m so grateful to all of you. I’ve now achieved one of my dreams and am looking forward to future successes, thanks to your support! IAFR sponsored five students from Kakuma in my year; three of them were refugees and two were [internally displaced] Kenyans. I'm more than happy to inform you that we, the refugees, all received scholarships through different organizations! I came to the United States, Keza went to Canada, and Kuir will be going to Germany this August for further studies as well. We believe your program will continue to change the lives of many students in the camp. You gave us hope, and we deeply pray that this great program will be able to continue in the future. Once again, thank you so much—please know that your support has never been in vain! And once again, kindly note that all these accomplishments happened because IAFR! May God bless you abundantly, and may you never lack anything. Thank you again!" IAFR financial partners made it possible for us to provide three new scholarships in January 2023. May God bless the class of 2026!

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