In Kakuma, one of the world’s largest refugee camps, a group of children is learning to code. The camp’s name means “no place” in Swahili, and it is home to over 200,000 people, many displaced by conflicts in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Amid scarce water, limited resources, and few opportunities, the International Kids Coding Association (IKCA), in collaboration with CAPS (Community Action for Peace and Solidarity), HRA (Humanitarian Resilience Aid), and Generation Aid, launched Digital Dreams in a Land of Dust. The program began with a single laptop, an unstable internet connection, and a former student — now a teacher — connecting from across the continent.
Lessons take place outdoors, often under intense heat, with hunger and thirst a constant presence. Many children attend without having eaten or drunk anything that day. That’s why the project’s goal is not only to teach coding but also to provide food and water during lessons. They learn, create, and at the same time receive something to drink and eat so they can follow the classes.
In Kakuma, coding means more than technology — it is a way to gain skills, create opportunities, and imagine new possibilities. IKCA works to make technology education accessible to all children, especially in underserved and crisis-affected communities, from Nairobi’s Kibera slum to refugee camps across Kenya.
The next step in Kakuma is the Kakuma Kids Virtual Art Exhibition, showcasing children’s drawings of robots, imagined worlds, and scenes from camp life. The exhibition was created to share their creativity, their determination, and also their daily challenges. Each image offers a direct view into their lives — both their hopes and their struggles.
By visiting the exhibition, you can:
Admire drawings created by children in the camp, inspired by coding and their imagination
Take a virtual tour into daily life in Kakuma: the real scenes, the difficulties, but also authentic dreams and moments of joy
Read stories and see photos provided directly by them
We live in an era where technology can connect us anywhere, yet there are still children who lack access to even water, food, or a computer.
Your donation will help them:
Provide food and clean water during lessons
Purchase laptops and internet connections
Guarantee continuity in education and digital support
“Poverty is not just a lack of income. It is a lack of freedom.” – Amartya Sen
With your help, they can gain the freedom to build their future.
Visit the exhibition, discover their digital dreams — and support them.
Donate HERE – every contribution counts.
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