From photography to sustainable development: GSD alumnus Joshua’s experience of Amala and beyond
Joshua is a photographer, filmmaker and Sudanese refugee, currently based in Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya. An Amala alumnus, he was among the pioneering students to join the Global Secondary Diploma (GSD) programme in Kakuma in 2021. Joshua's dream of attending university seemed out of reach without the necessary qualifications, but Amala provided him with the opportunity to complete his secondary education.
“That’s why I chose Amala - because it could give me another chance to get there”.
Joshua being presented with his Diploma on graduation day
After some time volunteering as a learning facilitator with Amala, Joshua started his path to higher education. “When I finished Amala, I felt happy because it was one of the ways that opened opportunities for me. My aim was to get a degree.” And he achieved just that: he earned a certificate in liberal studies through JWL (Jesuit Worldwide Learning), awarded by XIM university in India, and then enrolled for a Bachelor’s degree there. Alongside his studies in Sustainable Development, Joshua works as Communications Coordinator for JWL. “I am passionate about communications”, says Joshua. “I don’t find juggling working and studying very hard because I’m interested in what I’m doing, and I’m always learning from it”.
Joshua speaks passionately about his Amala experience:
“I learnt a lot from the learning system of Amala. The kind of knowledge I got was perfect. It gave me the imperative to participate with others, and the ability to look for further education.”
Amala also helped Joshua to adapt to a blended learning environment through its balance of independent and classroom study, which he describes as “very good”. “Amala has opened up my ability to do online learning. It was the first time I’d done online learning and it helped me with my studies at JWL.” As part of his degree he interacts with people from all over the world through an online platform, and enjoys gaining new perspectives through seeing the diversity of his fellow learners.
When asked about his favourite course, Joshua beams with enthusiasm for Ethical Leadership. “It meant a lot to me”, he says. “I gained a lot of skills from that course: learning to be someone who is a problem solver, and how to plan. There were a lot of topics about how a person can develop himself. I remember one learning topic was about how to make an action plan, how someone can plan for himself or for another organisation.” Joshua has now taken these skills forward to an organisation called Humanity Hands, where he helps with the financing. “Through Amala I got the skills to engage with the organisation”.
Joshua’s passion for photography led him to a training course in Media Journalism through FilmAid in 2021. His passion for media developed from there, and his dream is to do a degree in mass communications. Without a scholarship, this isn’t currently possible, so Joshua opted for a Sustainable Development degree, hoping to specialise in communications later, so that later in his career he can work in radio or television. For now, working in communications at JWL is affording him the opportunity to develop his skills in filming and photography. Joshua recognises the power that media can have: “I like filming and photography so much because it projects hope to those who feel like they are giving up. When taking photos I consider the angles that can portray the most hope in an image.”
The relationships Joshua built with his classmates form some of his favourite memories from Amala.
“We were working as a team of students, learning from each other. Being the first cohort was a special moment for us. There were a lot of challenges, but we persevered and managed to finish the programme.”
His Personal Interest Project (PIP), an extended project that GSD learners complete on a subject of their choice, was supporting Amala alumna Sudi with her organisation Girl Power through graphic design. Amala, Joshua says, had a “great impact” on him and his classmates in Kakuma, many of whom are now also in higher education, working on entrepreneurial projects and accessing livelihood opportunities.
“Don’t give up, just try to learn” is Joshua’s advice to other students and people who are struggling. “Learning is part of life. We try to learn every day so that we can grow and help the community, and solve problems in our own daily lives.”
This interview is the third in our series on the first cohort of Amala High School Diploma students. To make sure you don’t miss out on future Amala alumni stories, follow us on social media and sign up to our newsletter.