For over 40 years, the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) has been a lifeline for refugees and forcibly displaced people around the world. With a presence in 58 countries, JRS embodies the principles of Catholic social teaching—standing in solidarity with the most vulnerable, offering not just aid but hope, healing, and a future.

In Kakuma Refugee Camp, JRS is creating safe spaces for some of the most vulnerable children, those who have fled with their mothers after surviving gender-based violence. Many are too young to fully grasp the trauma they’ve endured, yet they carry its invisible weight.

At JRS’s Child-Friendly Spaces, these children are given more than shelter; they are given back their childhood. Through specialised education, psychosocial support, and therapeutic activities like art, music, and storytelling, they begin to heal, play, and dream again.

One recent Saturday Mass at the safe haven became a profound moment of joy and resilience. The service was more than a religious gathering, it was a celebration of strength and hope.

The children’s laughter, songs, and spontaneous performances touched everyone present. Their unshaken spirit, despite all they had endured, was a powerful reminder that healing is possible.

“It was a moment of grace, the children’s energy and joy showed us that even after trauma, hope can be restored.”

These inclusive Mass services are a vital part of JRS’s mission, nurturing not just faith but emotional well-being and community connection. For many children, it’s a rare chance to feel seen, valued, and uplifted.

JRS continues to be a beacon of light in Kakuma and beyond. Through education, spiritual care, and unwavering presence, they are helping refugee children thrive, not just survive.