Resources & Materials : Kakuma Refugee led project - LSBF

CURRENT FUNDRAISING FOCUS:

We are now raising money to help Polydord pay for a new irrigation pipe to connect a water storage container to the kitchen gardens (currently water for this use is rationed, and only turned on at certain times in the day, requiring someone to be there manually watering at those times).

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Our story begins when I was contacted at the beginning of 2024 by a remarkable man called Polydord Wasokye; seeking out fellow Permaculturalists to learn and collaborate with. (I am creative director of Shift Bristol, a social enterprise that teaches skills on resilience, regeneration and sustainability).

Polydord, originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, is now a refugee in the Kakuma Refugee Camp - one of the largest camps in the world, located in the North-western region of Kenya. The camp is home to more than 200,000 asylum seekers and refugees, cohabiting in some of the harshest and unforgiving climate and living conditions, contending with high temperatures and dramatic flooding. The camp communities attempt to meet their needs with very few resources - with limited rations of food and water, and very little power/rights (if any) to make changes to or leave the camp.

(You can read more of Polydord's story here).

Polydord is the co-founder of a refugee led project called Life Skills for Better Future, a project which aims to:

Since Feb 2024 I have been collaborating on a monthly basis with Polydord and his team, to help assist in these regular workshops. Together we dance, stretch, draw, sing, breath, play, and teach - I've had the joy of witnessing the team support and encourage each child and young person to lean into the joy and the safety that these workshops provide.

Since working together I have been mindful of the power dynamics as a white westerner, and wish to avoid falling into the trap of acting like a 'white saviour'. My role is to support Polydord and his team in their goals, offering encouragement, ideas for activities to do with the children, topics for them to learn about agriculture/permaculture/nature connection, and sharing news of his work throughout my networks. It is also to help him raise funds to buy the materials and resources that they need and ask for.

So far, money raised from this fundraiser has paid for a large television screen (so that the children and the team can connect with others via zoom, and connect to resources via the internet), easels to be built for each child so that they may draw/create without having to rest their paper on the floor, paper / coloured pens & pencils (previously children were using charcoal from the fires), and most recently some new shoes for children who had been walking barefoot or with inadequate footwear.

Words from Polydord, about the latest shoe appeal:

A Heartfelt Thank You for Your Generous Support for Children in Kakuma Refugee Camp

We are deeply grateful for your generous donation of children’s shoes for the kids at Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya. Thanks to your support, we were able to purchase 23 pairs of shoes at 250 KES each, providing comfort and dignity to children who were previously walking barefoot or wearing old, worn-out shoes.

Your contribution has made a real difference, allowing these children to walk with confidence and pride. The smiles on their faces reflect the profound impact of your kindness.

We sincerely thank everyone who contributed to this cause. Together, we are helping these children step towards a brighter future.

With gratitude,

Polydord Wasokye

LSBF-Kakuma