HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Education Above All (EAA), at the launch of the Kakuma Pilot Project during the World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) 2014. Following her witnessing of the signing between the two partners of the project, EAA and UNHCR, Her Highness takes a group photo with UNHCR’s Assistant High Commissioner Janet Lim and the partners of Kakuma. PICTURE: AR al-Baker/HHOPL
By Joseph Varghese/Staff Reporter
Education Above All (EAA) along with UNHCR, the UN refugee agency, signed an agreement with a number of partners to launch a four-year, holistic education pilot project in the Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya, on the sidelines of the World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) yesterday.
HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, chairperson of EAA took part in the launch event and witnessed the signing of the agreement. Janet Lim, UNHCR’s assistant high commissioner, representatives of the partnering organisations were also present on the occasion.
HH Sheikha Moza recollected her visit to the Kakuma refugee camp two years ago and spoke about the scale of education challenges facing displaced children and their families, and the pressure on aid in a protracted refugee situation.
Following the visit, Her Highness worked with UNHCR to establish a model education programme in Kakuma. The EAA Kakuma Project results from two years of development and collaboration with private and public sector stakeholders.
HH Sheikha Moza said: “We are bringing together different sectors and partners to work together for the first time in a holistic way, with education at the core. The goal is to use education to help the refugees develop the confidence to build their futures and be productive members of the community, whether it is in Kakuma, in their homeland or somewhere else.”
Janet Lim said: “Education is often a vital lifeline to a future for a refugee. It’s a crucial part of restoring hope and purpose for people living in incredibly difficult circumstances. We’re both grateful for and excited to see this project taking off.”
Leonardo Pinheiro, director of Strategy, Policy and Research for EAA, said: “The Kakuma Project represents an innovative approach to providing education in a conflict-affected community. Not a relief effort, the EAA Kakuma Project focuses on improving camp infrastructure and providing educational opportunities to residents of all ages in order to give them the confidence, skills and knowledge necessary for self-reliance.”
The project will seek to address all the factors that currently prevent refugee camp residents from receiving education such as health and nutrition, livelihood, food security, water and sanitation and energy effecting changes that will positively impact the community as a whole.
The project is expected to reach more than 70,000 individuals. It also seeks to promote the education and development of the surrounding Kenyan host community.
EAA, which is funding the project, will co-ordinate the efforts of a wide range of industry partners, including experts in construction, project management, solar technology, sports, and water and sanitation, to create a multi-sector ecosystem conducive to the provision and sustainability of quality education.
The project will offer educational interventions from early childhood education to vocational training and literacy classes.
