Angelina Jolie celebrates at Heshima Kenya’s Nairobi campus in 2017

NAIROBI – UNACCOMPANIED and separated refugee children and youth, especially girls, in Kenya have received a major boost after a non-governmental organisation raised over US$150 000 (KSh 15,45 million) for their empowerment.

The United States-based Heshima Kenya secured the money during its 2017 fundraising gala for beneficiaries in Nairobi, the East African country’s capital.

Funds raised are double the amount secured in the previous year.

“Throughout 2017 we experienced tremendous successes, all of which were made possible due to your generosity,” Alisa Roadcup and Benedict Nganga, Heshima Executive Director and Country Director, respectively, stated.

They highlighted Heshima Kenya’s network of supporters expanded internationally in 2017with the founding of Friends of Heshima Association in Geneva, Switzerland.

In Kenya, they also hosted leading international advocates for women and refugees including United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Special
Envoy, actress Angelina Jolie, and Her Royal Highness Princess Sarah Zeid of Jordan.

To accompany these milestones, Heshima Kenya has expanded to a new site for the Girls’ Empowerment Project to accommodate its continued growth and ability to serve more refugee girls.

In addition, 2018 marks a special moment for Heshima Kenya as it will be celebrating ten years.

To commemorate the occasion, it is launching its Decade of Impact campaign to ensure ability to provide another decade of services to vulnerable refugees.

“As we reflect on the accomplishments of these past ten years, we will also be critically assessing the organisational changes needed to support as many young refugee girls as we can,” Roadcup and Nganga jointly stated.

– CAJ News