A Journey of Hope and Support to Kenya

While at the camp, I met Bidii Yetu organizer, David, and his family, including his son, George!

As part of my studies at Toyo University, I had been thinking about what I could personally bring to support the people in the Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya, through Bidii Yetu, a refugee-led NPO, since I knew they had very limited access to educational materials. 

I received school materials from MST parent Vincent Valdmann after I told him about my plan to visit Kakuma Refugee Camp. I was grateful to hear that Vincent had these supplies for the children, and I want to sincerely thank him for giving me the opportunity to contribute something that will help their learning. In particular, were a set of Sandpaper Letters donated by former MST teacher, Allison Nakagawa.

While I was aware that educational resources were limited, what I actually saw in the camp was even more challenging. Bidii Yetu has been trying to introduce digital education by using a few PCs for children, but there is no stable internet connection. It was heartbreaking to see that children do not have enough opportunities to use electronic devices such as phones or computers, even though the world is becoming increasingly digitized. I strongly felt that more support is needed to provide children in Kakuma with access to digital technology and opportunities to connect with the outside world.

I was able to learn about the reality of agriculture, which had a direct impact on people's daily lives. I was deeply impressed by the permaculture initiative that Bidii Yetu is working on!

Some Bidii Yetu farmers shared their environment and situation with me and the overall agricultural situation is very challenging, especially during the dry season when it is difficult to secure a stable supply of water, making it hard to obtain enough food to survive.

Another Bidii Yetu farmer needed to get some water from this almost dried up water well.

I did observe hunger. While Bidii Yetu members have access to some farmland, it was clear that limited access to water makes their situation extremely difficult. One member mentioned that the withdrawal of USAID under President Trump had made things worse. 

That comment made me realize how much hope external support once represented for them. It is true that continuous assistance from USAID had significantly sustained people’s lives, and knowing that such support would suddenly disappear must have created an immeasurable sense of insecurity about their future.

But, nevertheless I observed a lot of hope. I got to be there on the first day of school and the children were excited to have lunch! Despite their hardships, the children were full of energy and I felt that their potential was limitless.

Ren Takano 鷹野錬 

Toyo University