Inset: Morneu Shepell girls posing for a Photo with the Cabinet Secretary Amb. Dr. Amina Mohammed next to her is the WIK School Principal Irene Kinyanjui.
Access to formal education among young displaced persons is key to enhance their contribution to reconstruction of strife-torn African states. According to the Cabinet Secretary Amb. Dr. Amina Mohammed, there is need to put in place effective mechanisms to mitigate and address effects of crises on education for the youth. Their contribution to rebuilding of their war-torn home countries cannot not be underrated. She noted that educated young refugees have played a huge role in peace building and economic development of countries that have experienced strife in the greater horn of African region. This culminated to her visit to the educational Centres at Kakuma where she paid a courtesy call at Morneau Shepell girls.
Increasing partnerships and collaboration in education
A memorandum of understanding signing ceremony between University Of Embu and Windle International Kenya (L-R Seated Dr. Marangu Njogu Executive Director WIK and Prof Daniel Mugendi Njiru).
Partnership bring a different set of values, priorities, resources and competencies. Organizations benefit from having broader perspectives and expertise that are brought to the table. Working in partnership and collaboration promotes mutual support and solidarity beyond the implementation of specific programme and project. Collaboration is a key part of the success of any organization, executed through a clearly defined vision and mission and based on transparency and constant communication. On 18th September 2018, a memorandum of understanding was signed between University of Embu and Windle International Kenya to further access to tertiary education for refugees and meet human needs by harnessing the potential human resource that is channeled out of the institutions of higher learning to mentor, role model and provide knowledge and skills required in teaching
A cross section of partners from UNHCR,UNICEF,War Child Canada,Utrecht University, Kenyatta University and some of our beneficiaries who participated in the Teacher Training Programme launch, at Kakuma refugee camp organised by Windle International Kenya.The project aims improving student learning outcomes by enhancing teachers’ Skills. Read more...
Launch of MMUST Kakuma and Graduation Celebration
On Friday March 4th,2018 the team participated in the launch of the MMUST Kakuma Campus and the presentation ceremony for the award of Diploma certificates to 89 grad and at the Kakuma Peace Centre.The occasion was attended by, among others, the chair of the MMUST Council and Pro-Chancellor, Vice Chancellor and other senior university staff, a representative of Turkana Governor’s office, UNHCR Kenya Representative, Kakuma UNHCR Head of Sub-Office and UNHCR staff, LWF staff team. Windle International Kenya team was led by the Executive Director, Dr. Marangu, Finance and Administrative manager Phyllis Mureu, Kakuma Program manager Raphael Sungu, DAFI project staff and other staff from WIK Kakuma.
Innovation Meets Education-Dadaab/Kakuma
The introduction of ATM debit cards for all students in the secondary school scholarship programmes was indeed an exciting phenomenon among students. The card enables students to access their upkeep and travel allowance from any ATM outlet across the country. In addition, being VISA enabled scholars can access the services from any banks outlets with ATM lobbies. Purchasing of goods at supermarkets and stores that allow credit card has safeguarded the scholars security by not transacting using lumps sums of money hence prone to robbery incidences. Before then, the cards were only available to the sponsored students in universities and colleges.This is indeed an efficient, reliable and secure means of disbursing funds to students as compared to the contemporary previous methods. The funds now reach the intended beneficiaries on time and with a minimal transfer charges. The students can make partial withdrawals depending on their needs and will not need to keep money in their dormitories as has been the practice with some students. Such practices exposed them to misuse of their allowances and risk of losing it.In addition, students can now make little deposits into their bank accounts as each ATM card comes with a bank account for the respective student. Such encourages a saving culture amongst the students at an early stage in life.
A majority of the students were not conversant with transacting using ATM card, its functionality and neither they had some students ever came across it or ever heard of it at all. Therefore, their introduction student was a whole new innovation & technology to them something to be proud of and consequently, motivated the students to remain in the scholarship programme, if not for anything else, just for the sake of owning one. The students were informed of forfeiting the card in the event one left the scholarship programme.On the other hand, the students were trained on how to use the ATM cards. In addition the students were briefed on theft cases at ATM lobbies and how to safeguard themselves against such vices. They were also advised to be responsible with their bank accounts and not to be caught in criminal activities involving their bank accounts. Each would be accountable for her actions in relation to her bank account transactions
Borderless High Education for Refugees (BHER)
WIK has under taken with collaboration of partners who comprise of:
Kenyatta University (KU)
Moi University (MU)
University of British Columbia (UBC)
York University (YU)
World University Service of Canada (WUSC)
More and more refugees have been searching for scholarships to enable them further their education after secondary school. However, there has always been a challenge of accessing scholarships as they are always few and highly competitive. Thus this initiative is providing a solution that will address this challenge and at the same time:
(i) Improve the equitable delivery of quality education in refugee camps and adjacent local communities through university training opportunities that prepare a new generation of male and female teachers.
(ii) Create ongoing and targeted opportunities for access to/participation of young men and women in university programs that enhance their employability through portable certificates, diplomas and degrees in education, social sciences and humanities, health studies, and natural sciences.
(iii) Teacher Education - build teaching capacities in the camp through a two pronged approach “learn as you earn”. The model implies that all refugee students enrolled in the programs offered by the project will continue to teach in their respective schools thus avoiding a gap in teaching capacities already scarce in the camps. Knowledge and skills they gain will be directly applied to their teaching environments, thus enhancing the quality and learning opportunities for the students.
Inset: Morneu Shepell girls posing for a Photo with the Cabinet Secretary Amb. Dr. Amina Mohammed next to her is the WIK School Principal Irene Kinyanjui.
A memorandum of understanding signing ceremony between University Of Embu and Windle International Kenya (L-R Seated Dr. Marangu Njogu Executive Director WIK and Prof Daniel Mugendi Njiru). 