According to the UNHCR, over half of the 14.8 million school-aged refugee children globally remain out of formal education, jeopardizing their future opportunities and well being. Barriers such as displacement, poverty, language differences, and legal restrictions often hinder access to quality education. Many refugee children face disrupted schooling, lack of documentation, and limited infrastructure in the countries that host them.
In response to this crisis, Youth Voices Community (YVC) has emerged as a powerful force in reclaiming the right to education for refugee youth in Kenya. Operating primarily through the DIGIKAZI ICT School, YVC provides practical, inclusive, and empowering learning opportunities for both refugees and host community youth.
YVC runs six-month intensive courses in Graphic Design, Web Development, Programming, and Motion Graphics. With 70% of the students being refugees, the program is carefully structured to offer not just skills, but also hope and direction for young people facing displacement and exclusion. The courses are taught in a safe, supportive environment that acknowledges the challenges refugee students face including trauma, financial hardship, and legal documentation issues.
YVC goes beyond training. It advocates for policy reforms that promote refugee access to the job market and education system. The organization has also built partnerships with community organizations and private sector players to facilitate job placements for its graduates. For many refugees who lack formal schooling opportunities, DIGIKAZI becomes their first meaningful step toward self-reliance and innovation.
Through mentorship, digital literacy, and advocacy, YVC is turning camps into classrooms—and classrooms into launching pads for brighter futures. Its work demonstrates that when refugee youth are given a chance, they don’t just catch up—they lead.
