With ten years working on agricultural development in 12 African countries and six years providing support to refugees in Greece, I’m launching this fundraiser for Hope of the Hopeless (“HOPE”). HOPE is a youth-led community initiative based in Kalobeyei Settlement Refugee Camp, Kenya*. With an estimated population of 80,000 refugees and asylum seekers from South Sudan, Ethiopia and Burundi, the camp is home to thousands of children who lack an education. You can find out more about me here

Masitchwe Kumbuka, the Founder and Director of HOPE, is a 23 year old refugee from DRC. He has been a resident of the Camp since 2017, and has spent the last three years focused on providing support and educational opportunities to some 1500 children, at-risk youth and vulnerable women. In his own words:

“At Hope of the Hopeless, we believe that every child deserves the opportunity to learn, explore, and dream beyond the limitations of their environment.

"Something powerful always happens in our small learning space. Children who once had never touched a computer are now sitting confidently in front of laptops, curious, focused and full of excitement. For many of them, this is not just about learning how to use technology. It is about discovering a new world of possibilities. Through mentorship, mental health support, education advocacy, and community empowerment, we help individuals move from crisis to confidence—and from surviving to thriving.

“Our work focuses on practical, community-driven solutions that create sustainable impact rather than short-term relief. Our core areas of work include:

• Providing nutritious meals to vulnerable children to improve health, strengthen school attendance, and support overall wellbeing.

• Promoting access to education through academic guidance, structured learning support, and mentorship for children and youth.

• Offering Basic and Intermediate English classes to empower adults with communication skills that increase confidence, employability, and access to opportunities.

• Delivering skills training, mentorship, and leadership development initiatives that promote economic independence and active community participation.

• Collaborating with local and international partners to implement grassroots solutions that directly respond to community needs.

• Educational and instructional materials

• Psychological support sessions for parents and caregivers

• Support for the Kanthari training program

• Space rental"

Computers are being provided by the Meaalofa Foundation and this fundraiser is intended to help support and expand HOPE’s activities and to enable Masitchwe Kumbuka to attend the Kanthari Leadership Program. This is a globally respected training for social entrepreneurs and changemakers who are committed to building sustainable solutions to urgent social challenges. The training will help him to expand HOPE’s program and more effectively pursue the mission.

Hope of the Hopeless is a registered Community-Based Organization (CBO). More information is available on their website.

*Kalobeyei is part of the much larger and better known Kakuma Camp which has in total a population of more than 300.000 people and is one of the largest refugee camps in the world.