My project is called R-WELL (Refugee Wellbeing and Livelihoods) is a social impact project officially known as “Refugee Wellbeing and Self-Reliance through Business Mentorship and Coaching.” The idea for R-WELL was born from my observation that many refugees in Kakuma face daily struggles such as unemployment, poverty, and a lack of business knowledge. Most depend on humanitarian aid and have limited opportunities to create sustainable income. R-WELL was created to change that reality by providing mentorship, business coaching, and entrepreneurship training to help refugees become self-reliant and improve their overall wellbeing.
The main beneficiaries of R-WELL are refugee youth and women living in Kakuma Refugee Camp and the surrounding host community. These groups have great potential to run small businesses but often lack the necessary guidance and training. Through R-WELL, they are empowered to use their talents and creativity to start and grow income-generating activities, thereby enhancing their livelihoods and fostering long-term self-reliance.
Objectives 1. To mentor and coach at least 50 refugee entrepreneurs in Kakuma within three months of the Millennium Fellowship period and other 100 after 3 months of the fellowship period.
2. To ensure at least 80% of participants gain new business skills such as record keeping, customer service, and marketing.
3. To organize 3 group coaching sessions and one-on-one mentorship with refugee business owners using available local resources.
4. To promote refugee self-reliance and reduce dependency on aid through business growth and improved income.
5. To complete all training and mentorship sessions by the end of the Millennium Fellowship program cycle.
What I Have Learned Through the Millennium Fellowship Sessions
The Millennium Fellowship sessions have been a great learning journey for me. I learned how to think like a leader, plan better, and measure my impact. The program helped me understand how my project connects with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).
Through the leadership and teamwork sessions, I learned how to manage time, communicate effectively, and work with others to achieve shared goals. The Fellowship also helped me to reflect deeply on my community’s real needs and how I can design simple, practical solutions to address them.
I also gained new confidence as a young changemaker. Before joining the Millennium Fellowship, I believed that making social impact required big resources. Now, I know that real impact begins with small, consistent actions and a clear vision. The Fellowship encouraged me to collaborate more, listen to others’ perspectives, and track progress carefully.
Achievements During the Fellowship
During the Millennium Fellowship period, I successfully mentored 35 refugees youth, focusing on business basics like planning, saving, and customer care. I also conducted one group sessions and 3 follow-up meetings. Many participants reported that they started keeping simple business records and applying the new marketing skills they learned.
The project also strengthened my relationship with other refugee entrepreneurs, local organizations, and youth leaders. It opened new discussions about the importance of entrepreneurship as a path to self-reliance within refugee setting particularly.
Expected Goals and Outcomes
The long-term goal of this project is to create a community of empowered refugee and host entrepreneurs who can sustain themselves and support others. I expect that through continuous mentorship and knowledge sharing, more refugees will develop strong business mindsets, earn stable incomes, and reduce reliance on aid.
The expected outcomes include:
• Increased number of refugee-owned businesses in Kakuma and Kalobeyei, Kenya
• Improved confidence and skills among refugee and host community entrepreneurs.
• Stronger social and economic connections between refugees and the host community.
• A culture of learning, mentorship, and collaboration for sustainable development.
Conclusion
Being part of the Millennium Fellowship has been a life-changing experience. It has shaped my leadership, taught me how to make my ideas practical, and connected me with other passionate young leaders across the world. My project is still growing, but the Fellowship gave me the right tools, values, and motivation to continue helping refugees build better lives through entrepreneurship.
This project reflects the true spirit of the Millennium Fellowship, which among them; creating social change, promoting self-reliance, and advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals in our communities. I am proud of what I have achieved so far and committed to continuing this work beyond the Fellowship period.