Who we are
KAKUMA READ COMMUNITY BASED ORGANISATION (KAKUMA READ CBO) is a refugee-founded, community-led nonprofit community-based organization based in Kakuma, Turkana County, Kenya.
The Creation Story of Kakuma READ CBO: Local Leadership in Crisis
Kakuma READ CBO emerged from the leadership, commitment and desire of refugee community members to respond to local needs and help build sustainable solutions.
Context and Catalyst: The COVID-19 Emergency
In March 2020, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent government health measures resulted in strict movement restrictions, including the cessation of movement into and out of Kakuma Refugee Camp and Kalobeyei Settlement in Turkana West, Kenya. For displaced families, these restrictions created severe uncertainty and isolation during an unprecedented global crisis.
Surfacing Critical Community Gaps
The pandemic exposed and widened gaps between humanitarian services and community needs. School closures disrupted formal learning for children, youth and young mothers. Language and communication barriers limited access to essential public health information. Girls, single mothers, children, older people and persons with disabilities faced heightened risks and needed stronger advocacy for protection, health and human rights.
Founded by Fellow Refugees
In early 2020, Somali refugee leaders Daud Warsame and Zamzam Abdikadir Jama, alumni of Jesuit Worldwide Learning (JWL), initiated this community response. Motivated by solidarity with their community, they began a refugee-led, volunteer-driven initiative. The name READ stands for Refugee Education and Advocacy for Development.
Mission, Pillars and Core Philosophy
KAKUMA READ CBO is built around three foundational pillars: Education, Advocacy and Development. Its motto is “Learn Local Lead”, encouraging refugees and host communities to find locally led responses to shared challenges.
Education
Supporting literacy and numeracy for beginners, youth skills workshops, community libraries and access to learning opportunities.
Advocacy
Promoting community information through multilingual communication, health awareness, psychosocial peacebuilding, inclusion, and advocacy for refugee rights and the rights of women and vulnerable groups.
Development
Mobilizing volunteers for environmental conservation, sanitation, tree planting, community health initiatives and sustainable community development.
Our purpose
KAKUMA READ CBO seeks to demonstrate that refugees can lead community responses, strengthen self-reliance and build sustainable connections between refugee and host communities.
Where we work
Our service area includes Kakuma Refugee Camp and Kalobeyei Settlement in Kakuma Municipality, Turkana West, Turkana County, Kenya.
Our values
Integrity; Accountability; Community; Hope; Empowerment; Commitment; Respect; and Understanding.