Jesuit Commons and JRS in Kenya Launch Course for Refugees

Refugees in the Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya are now able to study for a certificate in social services after Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) launched its first certificate program as part of a distance higher education initiative with the Jesuit Commons – Higher Education at the Margins (JC-HEM).

The course is the first launched within the Community Service Learning Track (CSLT), and it was developed in cooperation with Fordham University and JRS in Kakuma. The course covers psychosocial case management, and 19 refugees and two host community members will spend 15 weeks learning about different aspects of providing social services to vulnerable persons in their communities.

At the end of the course, participants who fulfill all requirements will gain a continuing education certificate in Psychosocial Case Management.

As a part of the initiative, new computer equipment and internet connection were installed at the camp allowing courses to integrate online content into their curriculum.

In the future, it is envisioned that students from Kakuma will be able to connect online with students from the U.S. and other locations participating in the JC-HEM project. [JRS; photo by Angelika Mendes/JRS]