For refugees forced to flee their homes, access to the internet and the digital world has become an essential tool for finding safety and rebuilding their lives. By offering a virtual path forward amid immense uncertainty, the internet is transforming how refugees access education, employment, and essential services.

One such initiative making a difference is the JRS Digital Inclusion Program (DIP) at the Arrupe Learning Center in Kakuma Refugee Camp. This holistic, multifaceted program provides digital and business skills training alongside job placement support for refugees with limited income opportunities.

Six months into the program, JRS staff highlighted its impact, sharing student feedback and insights into how it has begun to transform the community.

In many refugee communities, women and girls face significant barriers to education and employment due to deeply rooted gender norms and stereotypes. These cultural expectations often confine them to domestic work and keep them out of the economic market.

Globally, women are 43% less likely than men to engage online and suffer unemployment rates up to 17% higher. Meanwhile, the global digital economy has an exponential upward trajectory for growth. JRS places a strong emphasis on inclusion, ensuring that the DIP is equally accessible to everyone in the community.

Bichich Gatkuoth Tut, a participant in the DIP, shared how empowered she feels now that she is learning these skills. When she started classes, she was completely unfamiliar with technology. “Annotation, data scraping, and electronic devices were like a foreign language to me,” she said. “I even questioned whether I had made the right decision to be a part of this program.”

Bichich persevered with the encouragement of her teachers and fellow students. “I started small with the help of my instructor…gradually, I learned the basics of how to operate a computer.”

The DIP training program is divided into two phases. The first focuses on digital literacy and basic computer skills, equipping students with the foundational knowledge needed for online work. The second phase emphasizes practical application, teaching critical thinking, online etiquette and safety, and client interactions. JRS supports students throughout their job search, offering guidance as they apply for online positions.

“I am still learning, but I am proud to say that I have made significant progress. I can deal with computers confidently,” Bichich said. “The digital world, which once felt distant, now feels like a space where I can grow and learn.”

The DIP has the capacity to support 60 students through their studies and into job placement. Over half of participants are Sudanese and South Sudanese refugees, while others are from countries such as Somalia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Uganda, and Kenya.

Another participant, Biar Ngor, reflected on how the program has the potential to change his future. “I believe the skills that I will gain at the end of the course will help me become economically independent, as I will be able to bid for jobs online,” he said. “With this, I will be able to support myself and my family.”

To ensure the program continues to meet the needs of participants, JRS conducts regular feedback sessions and maintains open communication with students.

Bichich offered an inspiring message to others seeking a pathway into the job market to support themselves and their families with greater independence and self-sufficiency: “To everyone out there, with the right support and willingness, you can thrive in the tech world no matter where and when you start.”