Windle International is a non-profit, humanitarian organization committed to empowering people affected by conflict to make lasting change in their own lives, in their communities, and in the wider society. The organizations work in serving the most vulnerable populations is encompassed in its mission to create positive lasting change and transformation in society. We have in the last four decades worked in some of the most challenging contexts across Kenya, Somalia and Uganda to empower people to achieve their fullest potential and contribute to the creation of peaceful and conflict-free societies. Our response each year supports over 500,000 people affected by conflict, natural disasters and inclement weather -including refugees, returnees, internally displaced persons, and vulnerable host communities- with education and skills development, protection, livelihood, WASH and environmental sustainability interventions. In Kenya, our response each year supports over 150,000 most vulnerable people (including refugees) in the arid and semi-arid counties of Wajir, Garissa, Turkana and the informal settlements across the country.

Windle International traces its roots back to 1977 when Dr. Hugh Austin Windle Pilkington established the Windle Charitable Trust in Kenya, now known as Windle International Kenya. While teaching at the University of Nairobi in the early 1970s, Dr. Pilkington pursued his passion for ancient scriptural texts written in the Ethiopic language of Ge’ez. Through his research, he encountered young refugees who had fled violence in Ethiopia, eager to continue their education but unable to access opportunities. Witnessing their struggles firsthand, he recognized the transformative power of education in helping young people rebuild their lives and contribute to their communities.

Determined to make a difference, Dr. Pilkington used his funds and networks to secure placements for these students at leading universities, including Cambridge and Oxford, where he had pursued his own studies. His vision was clear: education could unlock the potential of refugees, offering them a path to a better future. This commitment led him to establish a charitable organization supporting refugee education. Windle International coordinates operations in Kenya, Uganda, Somalia, and Rwanda. Additionally, Windle International has fundraising and marketing offices in North America and Europe. They are dedicated to raising awareness and diversifying funding sources to sustain and grow its impact on refugee and marginalized communities through education.

Dr. Hugh Austin Windle Pilkington passed on in 1986, but his legacy and mission continue under Windle International. Dr. Pilkington’s unwavering commitment to education as a tool for empowerment continues to inspire Windle International’s mission. What began as a personal initiative has become a globally recognized organization, transforming the lives of thousands of refugees and marginalized individuals through education. His belief that access to quality education can break cycles of poverty and displacement remains the cornerstone of Windle International’s work today. As the organization expands its reach, it remains dedicated to upholding his vision—providing hope and opportunity to those who need it most, ensuring that education remains a powerful force for change.

Our programming approach is anchored on enhancing the resilience of vulnerable populations by building their capacities to better manage stresses and shocks, promote socio-economic growth, adapt to climate change and minimize disaster risks. Consistent with the graduation approach, we have sequenced our interventions to include vulnerability assessments and subsequently provide integrated measures that include cash transfers, technical and life skills trainings that contribute to individuals and households with economically viable livelihoods. We work closely and collaboratively with communities in the planning and implementation of our interventions. In Kenya, Windle’s continued presence in the ASAL and refugee hosting areas in the last four decades has honed our understanding on the importance of community participation and established the organization as a reliable and trusted partner based on our existing accountability mechanisms to the population that we work with. Beyond the target communities, Windle has established strong working relationship with the Government of Kenya through the relevant line ministries and devolved units to ensure adherence to policies and alignment to integrated development plans.