We’re excited to introduce you to our newest beneficiary organization, Elimisha Kakuma—an inspiring, refugee-led nonprofit working to transform education access in Kakuma Refugee Camp, Kenya. Founded by former camp residents who know the challenges of displacement firsthand, Elimisha Kakuma is dedicated to creating life-changing opportunities for high school graduates through a rigorous, fully-funded college preparatory program. Since 2021, they’ve helped students earn millions in academic scholarships and placements at top universities across the globe—turning dreams into degrees, and refugees into global changemakers. Read our interview with co-founder Mary Maker to learn more about the incredible story behind Elimisha Kakuma and the powerful impact they’re making.
Can you tell us about Elimisha Kakuma and its mission to support refugees in Kakuma Refugee Camp?
Elimisha Kakuma, which translates to “Educate Kakuma” in Swahili, is a refugee-founded and led 501(c)(3) organization that creates pathways to higher education for high school graduates residing in Kakuma Refugee Camp, Kenya.
Since 2021, Elimisha Kakuma has challenged the status quo by dramatically increasing access to tertiary education for refugees, which historically was less than one percent. Aiming to increase this percentage while supporting the United Nations Higher Commission for Refugees’ (UNHCR) 15by30 aim high campaign, designed to increase access to education for refugees worldwide from 7% to 15% by 2030, we have mobilized over 40 volunteers in just four years. Our comprehensive 16-month program provides intensive academic instruction, exam preparation, tutoring, guidance through the college application process, and full funding. Once placed, students receive ongoing mentorship, host family placement, and support to ensure their long-term success. To date, our students have been placed in top-ranked universities in the U.S., Canada, England, Scotland, Kenya, Costa Rica, and the Czech Republic.
Annually, we secure approximately $2.5 million USD in academic funding for our selected students. To date, we have secured more than $6.5 million in academic scholarships.
What inspired the creation of Elimisha Kakuma, and why is it so important to provide higher education opportunities for refugees?
Having lived in Kakuma Refugee Camp, I witnessed firsthand how difficult it was to ever break free from its confines. Education was always portrayed as the ultimate weapon—a key to success. Yet for many refugees, this promise can be a false hope due to the constant barriers to access. In Africa, less than 1% of refugees ever have the opportunity to pursue tertiary education. The issue isn’t a lack of desire for education; it’s simply a matter of access.
Elimisha Kakuma emerged from this stark reality of limited opportunities. The three of us—Dudi, Diing, and I—believed we deserved a fighting chance at college. With Dudi accepted to Harvard, Diing to George Washington University in DC, and me to St. Olaf College in Minnesota, we proved that when provided with the right tools—SAT and TOEFL preparation and the guidance of a dedicated college counselor—our dreams could become reality. Growing up in the camp, we understood the struggles of our friends who weren’t chosen for the scholarship program that ever came to the camp
Together with our teacher, Deirdre Hand, we had everything we needed to start this initiative. The importance of what we do goes beyond educating one refugee—the ripple effect is profound. After launching our first two cohorts, we were inspired by our students’ passion and drive to give back. One student at the University of Calgary started the Kakuma Empowerment Program, mentoring over 500 youths in the camp. Another student at Macalester University founded an orphanage to support unaccompanied minors and teamed up with a UWC student to run a computer boot camp in Kakuma during the summer of 2024. From health professionals to peer mentors within the camp, the impact of these efforts continues to grow—evident in the 500 applicants for Cohort 5 of Ek this year.
Can you share any success stories of students who have completed the program and gone on to pursue higher education or make a difference in their communities?
- Because none of our students have graduated yet, we can’t provide stories of what they do post-graduation, but even while still in college their impact has been massive
- Bahome- Elmhurst College Worked in the mailroom at Elmhurst College. Built his family back in Kakuma a house. One of the nicest houses in the camp. Samuel, a student at Elmhurst is funding his mom’s business in the camp
- Grace -Dartmouth got an internship at Morgan Stanley for the summer.
- Akon- University of Calgary- started the Kakuma Empowerment Program
- Makol -Macalester College founded an orphanage to support unaccompanied minors and teamed up with a UWC student to run a computer boot camp in Kakuma during the summer of 2024- Writings by Makol- My father’s Coat
- The rest of the 46+ students are mentors to the current Cohort 5 students- guiding them throughout the college application process and when they arrive at colleges in the US, Canada, and Europe
What does the typical journey look like for a student participating in the Elimisha Kakuma program? How do you support them throughout the process?
The Elimisha Kakuma journey begins each December, when we launch our call for applications across Kakuma and partner networks. Prospective students attend workshops on essay writing, interview techniques, and basic computer skills to strengthen their submissions. By April, we narrowed an applicant pool of nearly 500 candidates down to a cohort of 16, selected for their academic promise, leadership potential, and commitment to community.
Once accepted, students embark on a sixteen‑month preparatory program split across spring, summer, and fall semesters. They build digital‑literacy skills, receive individualized SAT (or DET) and TOEFL test preparation, and meet one‑on‑one with volunteer college counselors. A modest monthly stipend helps cover phone credit, internet access, and study materials. Simultaneously, cultural‑adaptation seminars prepare them for life beyond Kakuma—explaining classroom norms, social customs, and political contexts they are likely to encounter in North America, Europe, or Africa.
In the fall, our focus shifts to the college application season. Students complete their standardized tests, research institutions that represent the best fit, and submit applications—and scholarship requests—to universities across three continents, with plans to extend to Asia and Australia. Financial‑planning workshops guide them through visa fees, living‑expense budgets, and scholarship searches, equipping them to make sound decisions once offers arrive.
Before departure, each student participates in a “university simulation” semester. They take introductory courses—psychology, art foundations, even a research‑methods class co‑taught by Dr. Brett S and Elimisha Kakuma alumni from Virginia Tech—and engage in critical thinking seminars on topics like race, religion, and politics. Peer study groups and virtual office hours reinforce what they’ll need to thrive in a real campus environment.
When it’s time to matriculate, we match each student with a volunteer host family near their new campus, easing their transition into dorm life or off‑campus housing. We provide material aid—warm jackets for colder climates, laptops for coursework, and emergency funds for unexpected expenses.
Once on campus, students benefit from monthly check‑ins with Elimisha Kakuma mentors, referrals to mental‑health and tutoring services, and study‑buddy networks. Beyond academics, we’ve partnered with the Global Mentorship Initiative to offer professional guidance on resume writing, interview techniques, and job‑market strategies. Summer internships in NGOs, research labs, and businesses extend their learning, and our growing alumni community continues the cycle—sharing job leads, scholarship advice, and post‑graduate pathways.
From that first essay workshop in Kakuma to graduation day, every step of the Elimisha Kakuma program is designed to remove barriers, build confidence, and unleash potential, creating ripple effects that reach far beyond our 16 students each year.
What are some of the major challenges refugees face when trying to access higher education, and how does Elimisha Kakuma address these barriers?
In Kakuma Refugee Camp, the dead end when it comes to accessing higher education is painfully visible. Fewer than one percent of refugees in Africa ever make it to tertiary education. Many students find themselves stuck for four to six years after finishing high school, unable to find any opportunities that will take them beyond the camp’s borders. For most of us, already having experienced years of disrupted education due to war, these extra years add another layer of uncertainty and despair.
The biggest barrier isn’t lack of ability—it’s lack of access. Most students miss out on higher education simply because they don’t have the tools: no laptops, no reliable electricity, no internet, no money to pay for tests, and sometimes not even the documents required to apply. And yet, these are some of the most brilliant young minds.
Elimisha Kakuma steps in to bridge this gap. We bring universities into the camp, many of whom have never set foot in a refugee setting before, and we bring students into our solar-powered learning center, where they can access everything they need. We provide a dedicated team of professors, a college counselor to walk with them through every step of the application process, and an on-site program manager who works with them Monday through Friday.
We also work with families, especially those who might not initially understand why a girl belongs in a classroom. Over time, we’ve seen a powerful shift. Because of our program’s success over the past four years, more and more parents and guardians are not only allowing but actively encouraging their children to dream bigger. That shift in mindset is one of the most hopeful signs we’ve seen.
Looking forward, what is the long-term vision for Elimisha Kakuma? How do you see the program evolving in the next 5 or 10 years?
Our short-term goals include:
- Staffing: Hire and compensate a dedicated team, including an Executive Director, Operational Manager, Financial Manager, Academic Director, and additional teaching staff.
- Infrastructure: Construct a new study center with reliable electricity and internet access, equipped with modern computers. We aim to enhance the operational capacity of the center while also improving meals and stipends for enrolled students.
- Enrollment Growth: Double our student intake for the upcoming year and increase enrollment by 5 students annually thereafter. This will be achieved by raising our acceptance rate from 3% to 6%, based on an anticipated 500 applications this year.
Our long-term goals center around expanding our positive impact on refugee lives while supporting a larger community. To achieve this, we aim to build a sustainable operational model that enables us to meet our strategic objectives.
With the support and alignment of key organizations like UNHCR, we will continue to innovate and directly impact the 15by30 initiative. This initiative seeks to increase access to education for refugees worldwide from 7% to 15% by 2030.
Our specific goals include:
- Increasing the percentage of Kakuma Camp refugee students who access tertiary education from the current 1% to 7% by 2035. This aligns with the current global refugee access rate and would mean accepting 200 students annually, compared to our current maximum of 15 students.
- Securing funding to support our growth plan, including establishing an endowment fund to sustain our vision.
- Building partnerships that provide academic scholarships and capacity-building funds creating a strong foundation for our operational plan.
We believe these goals are achievable and will allow us to make a significant contribution to the lives of refugees.
How can people outside of the Kakuma Refugee Camp (including individuals or organizations) support Elimisha Kakuma and its mission?
- Stay Connected – Sign up for our newsletter and follow us on social media to keep up with our students’ stories and the impact we’re making together.
- Spread the Word – Share our mission with your networks. Help us grow a global community that believes in access to education for all.
- Give as You’re Able – Your financial support allows us to increase student enrollment, expand our team, and build a new learning center equipped with faster internet, updated technology, and more reliable solar power. Every contribution helps create more opportunities for students to thrive.
Together, we can open doors that were once shut and create a future full of possibility.
What do you find to be the most rewarding part of your work with Elimisha Kakuma?
The most rewarding part of my work with Elimisha Kakuma is watching students become their full selves. There is nothing more beautiful than seeing a student join the program, take a chance on themselves, and earn a full-ride scholarship to one of the top universities in the world. Watching them board their first flight, form new friendships and families, and receive feedback from universities about the unique perspectives they bring to campus—it’s incredibly moving.
I get to witness the full arc of transformation. From a refugee camp to classrooms thousands of miles away, from students who once doubted their future to young leaders supporting their families and communities. Seeing them commit to their growth, and then turn around and lift others as they rise—that is my deepest joy.
In your view, what role does education play in empowering refugees and transforming their communities?
Education is an equalizer—it gives power back to those who’ve had so much taken from them. For refugees, education is more than just a classroom experience; it’s a lifeline. It’s a tool that restores agency, builds confidence, and opens doors that were once tightly shut.
I’ve seen how education transforms not just individuals, but entire communities. When a refugee gains access to education, they’re not just learning for themselves—they’re becoming a source of hope for their families, for their neighbors, for the camp they come from. They return with new skills, new perspectives, and a renewed belief that change is possible.
In my own journey, education allowed me to rewrite my story. It gave me the words to speak for myself and the platform to speak for others. And that’s the power of education—it turns survivors into leaders, and classrooms into catalysts for change.