A major component of Uhuru Child’s work in Kenya is providing employment, education and social development to internally displaced people (IDP’s). As we carry on our work here its easy to become numb to the grave situation that the IDP title represents. It is hard for us to grasp just what it means to be a displaced person so I thought I should take the opportunity to expound on the concept.
Internally displaced people are similar to refugees in that they have been forced to leave their homes and their communities because of violence, natural disaster, famine or some other trauma outside of their control. The difference between a refugee and an IDP is that refugees are forced to leave their country while IDP’s are forced to flee to a different place within their own country.
Unfortunately in Africa there are an estimated 11.8 million IDP’s resulting from famine and political violence. These people often fall through the cracks of aid organizations and may not qualify for the same support provided for refugees. Because it is not an international issue there is only one government accountable for IDP support and many of the governments where IDP’s are found are either unable or unwilling to provide adequate assistance. IDP’s are often settled in camps or shanty towns on the most undesirable land in the country far from water, schools, health centers, industry and other necessary infrastructure. Unemployment rates in IDP camps can near 90% due to a lack of businesses and infrastructure. 
In 2007, over 500,000 Kenyans were displaced as a result of post election violence. Tribes turned against one another, urged on by politicians unhappy with election procedures and results. Many of these people are still trying to find sustainable solutions for establishing a new life. Government attention and donor services have rapidly declined but the humanitarian needs persist. While short-term emergency measures are often taken to assist IDP’s and get them out of danger, there is a concerning lack of attention given to long term solutions.
The issue of internal displacement in Kenya is not one of the past. In 2012, an estimated 118,000 people were newly displaced because of famine, resource shortage and inter-communal violence.
Uhuru Child is committed to helping IDP’s restart their lives by giving employment, connecting water pipes, and helping people access the essential resources they need to live well long term.
Our new school Uhuru Academy exists to provide educational opportunities to the girls in IDP communities. IDP’s have some of the lowest rates of educational enrollment because there is no public secondary school in Kenya and private schools are limited and expensive. Historically in Kenya, girls have had significantly less access to education and even today they are the first to be pulled from school if family funds are tight making IDP girls some of the most marginalized children in Kenya when it comes to educational access.
Uhuru Academy gives these girls hope. We provide full scholarships to outstanding female students in IDP camps. We want to send the message that if you work hard and succeed in elementary school there will be an opportunity for you to continue your studies. These are girls who, despite an interrupted education, lack of resources at home, food shortages, water sources 2 or 3 hours away, have made education a priority and have demonstrated a commitment to advancing themselves.
These girls are heroes. These girls give hope to other IDP’s and we sincerely believe they will also be the hope of this nation.
Join with us in providing educational opportunities that will change the lives of IPD’s across Kenya.
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