The Wings to Fly Initiative (formerly ThinkWithMe) is a Refugee-Led Organization (RLO) operating in Kakuma Refugee Camp, Kenya, with a mission to to rethink community engagement in the provision of sustainable programs so as to transform the lives of refugees and internally displaced people in terms of peaceful coexistence, access to quality education, and fight against poverty amongst refugees and stateless persons. 

As per April 2021 UNHCR data on refugee population Kakuma hosts 40% of half a million refugees residing in the country, while Dadaab hosts nearly 44%, and 16% reside in urban areas, mainly Nairobi. The organization’s existence is predicated on the need to address the cross-cutting issues affecting refugees in Kakuma, such as education, communication, and poverty.

Peaceful coexistence amongst the multinational communities in Kakuma is a significant challenge that the Wings to Fly Initiative seeks to address. The 2014 backlash amongst refugees in Kakuma is undeniable evidence that a conflict may arise as a result of just a few arguments, misunderstandings, or disputes over something small and confusing amongst these communities, thus leading to loss of lives, destruction, and damage of properties.

To address these issues, Wings to Fly Initiative intends to implement programs that will focus on basic communication skills, language barrier, inclusive and intercultural activities, and the development of marketable skills that lead to meaningful and productive engagement amongst community members. These programs aim to foster mutual understanding and growth within the refugee community, promoting peaceful coexistence amongst them.

Education programming is another pressing issue that the organization seeks to address. According to UNHCR data, over 3.7 million refugee children are still out of school, and those who get access to primary and secondary school levels are not able to transition to higher education, except the 3%, leaving a significant education gap and crisis in the system. And this is the context for the Kakuma refugee camp as well, thus this situation can expose youths to numerous unproductive activities.

Wings to Fly Initiative has designed programs that aim to address this challenge by ensuring that dropout students and those seemingly left behind get included. These programs will impart skills in interpersonal communication, uniting languages for mutual understanding, and provide access to online learning opportunities, as well as hands-on experience in art activities. This approach will bring out the innovative power of refugee children, who can prove that they are not merely living on hope but can yield the result of their resilience and transform their communities.

The Wings to Fly Initiative was founded in 2019, inspired by Panique Mubikirizo and with thestrong support of Jayson Akilimali and other co-founders who work together voluntarily to impact the lives of fellow refugees in the Kakuma refugee camp. The organization is committed to involving and engaging refugee communities in its programs, and believes in the power of collective action to achieve sustainable solutions to the challenges faced by refugees in Kakuma. The dedication to volunteerism is a fundamental principle of the organization and underscores its commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of refugees.