Kakuma Refugee Camp, nestled in the arid landscapes of northwest Kenya, is home to over 180,000 refugees from countries plagued by conflict, such as South Sudan, Somalia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Life in the camp is marked by resilience, but also by significant challenges, limited access to quality education, scarce employment opportunities, and the constant struggle to break free from the cycle of displacement and uncertainty.

Yet, in this seemingly desolate environment, stories of transformation and triumph emerge. Stories like that of 26-year-old Sosthene Nsengiyumva.

The partnership between Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) and Southern New Hampshire University’s (SNHU) Global Education Movement, refugees in Kakuma are rewriting their narratives. This initiative provides 100 students with educational opportunities annually, offering online competency-based courses that help students gain practical skills, build career paths, and unlock their full potential.

For refugees like Sosthene, the challenges of pursuing education are immense. Reliable internet access is often a luxury, and balancing studies with the demands of life in the camp can be overwhelming. Yet, with JRS support, students receive guidance from academic coaches to access online learning tools, and the encouragement needed to thrive.

Sosthene’s journey was far from easy, but it was transformative. Through the SNHU program, he learned critical communication skills, engaged in practical demonstrations, and even participated in home visits as a translator and community mobilizer. The program’s emphasis on holistic development extended beyond academics, with outdoor activities helping him build confidence and forge connections with peers.

After completing all his competencies on time, Sosthene graduated with a bachelor’s degree in communications. But he didn’t stop there he returned to the very place where his dreams had taken shape. Today, as an academic coach at the Arrupe Learning Center in Kakuma, he mentors other refugee students, guiding them toward brighter futures.

“Now I am an inspiration,” Sosthene proudly shares. “Before, I thought that for someone to be successful, they must go work in big cities like Nairobi. But the opportunity that JRS gave here in Kakuma has made my community see that education is real and can make a better change.”

Sosthene’s story is a testament to the transformative power of education. His success is part of a larger ripple effect, graduates of the JRS-SNHU program are securing jobs, internships, and even advanced degrees in countries like Italy and France. They return to their communities as changemakers, breaking the cycle of poverty and inspiring others to dream bigger.

At JRS, education is more than just a pathway to a degree; it is a tool for restoring dignity, building resilience, and empowering refugees to shape their own futures. In Kakuma, where hope is often tested, Sosthene’s story shines as a beacon of what’s possible when education and determination meet.

And that is the true power of education, it doesn’t just change one life; it transforms entire communities.