12 Nov 2024
Joint recommendations: Ten steps to meet EU human rights obl…
Since the launch of this initiative, over 1,087 young people from refugee and host communities have been supported by DRC Kenya and UNHCR to undertake a comprehensive digital skills course under the ICDL curriculum. This training has opened doors to new opportunities in education, employment, and communication.
For example, some community members have leveraged their digital skills to enroll in online courses, such as online course/training, which allows them to further their education despite movement limitations.
By acquiring these skills, youth have gained tools to integrate into online communities, access virtual learning platforms, and explore freelance work, building a foundation for independence and self-sufficiency.
The program goes beyond training alone; graduates also receive mentorship through DRC Kenya's partnership with the Ajira Digital Program by the Government of Kenya and Dadaab Collective Agency. This guidance helps equip participants to engage in remote freelance work, including translation (Somali to English and vice versa), transcription, data entry, digital marketing, and virtual assistance.
For many, these opportunities have provided crucial financial income, while also boosting their self-reliance and enhancing their capacity to contribute to their communities.
Receiving the ICDL Africa Best Project Award 2024, DRC Kenya's digital skills initiative has been recognized for its exceptional impact in bringing digital literacy to marginalized populations. By fostering essential digital skills, this initiative empowers refugees and displaced communities, offering them a pathway to inclusion in the modern workforce.
This award underscores the potential of digital education as a sustainable model for empowering vulnerable communities, bridging digital divides, and setting a precedent for similar initiatives across the camps.
Through this recognition, DRC’s work highlights how access to digital literacy can be a transformative force for inclusion, resilience, and economic independence among refugees.