School in Kenyan refugee camp helps displaced girls

In Kenya’s second largest refugee camp, the first day of a new term is underway at the Morneau Shepell Secondary School.

The school run by the UN refugee agency UNHCR with support from donors is giving hope to the girl child in the Kakuma camp.

Esther Nyakong from South Sudan explains how the school has helped her.

“Within very few months I came to know Kiswahili and English. I began passing my exams,” Nyakong said.

While many girls escape war at home, Unicef says they also face harmful traditional practices in refugee camps such as child marriage and Female Genital Mutilation.

“I want to be a neurosurgeon because I want to inspire people especially the ladies so that they can also know that if Esther has done it, whom am I not to make it,? she’s a lady like me, so I want to inspire others. I want to leave a legacy,” said Nyakong.

Aid agencies are working on child protection programs in the camp so as to raise awareness on harmful cultural practices and on the importance of education.

Reuters