Did you know that only about 3% of youth in Kakuma and Kalobeyei Refugee have access to tertiary education after high school? In an environment where formal job opportunities remain extremely limited, this gap leaves many young people standing at a difficult crossroads.
We are incredibly happy to share highlights from our recent community gathering, which brought together young people, community leaders, and religious leaders for an honest, heartfelt, and vital conversation about our collective future.
Confronting Our Challenges Openly
True progress requires us to face uncomfortable realities. During the forum, participants dove into deep, sometimes intense discussions regarding the protection of our younger children and the systemic issues affecting our communities.
We openly addressed critical vulnerabilities, including:
- The rising rate of youth-related crime driven by idleness and lack of opportunity.
- High school dropout rates that cut potential short before it can bloom.
- Early child marriages that compromise the safety and future of young girls.
The debate became particularly rich and complex when engaging with religious leaders around deeply entrenched, harmful cultural practices. While changing long-held mindsets is never easy, the willingness of these leaders to pull up a chair and listen marked a massive step forward.
Moving From Blame to Action
Amidst the varying viewpoints, one universal truth stood out clearly to everyone in the room:
“The youth are the future, and that future belongs to those who prepare it now.”
Instead of pointing fingers or shifting blame, the focus of the dialogue firmly shifted toward sustainable, real-world solutions. To safeguard our next generation, we must collectively commit to:
- Empowering young people with market-relevant technical and digital skills.
- Providing better access to information regarding career pathways and legal rights.
- Raising widespread awareness about the long-term consequences of harmful choices and early marriage.
A Collective Responsibility
That is exactly why we at STOP CHILD ABUSE (SCA) are deeply committed to driving this change directly on the ground. We cannot do this work in isolation.
We extend our deepest gratitude to FilmAid Kenya for their incredible collaborative effort in supporting and amplifying this important dialogue. It is officially time to move past rhetoric, take collective responsibility, and invest meaningfully in the generation that will build tomorrow.
