Becoming pillars of the world: Khalid’s story of hope

This Amala Impact Story was produced by students from St Joseph’s Institution International (SJII), Amala partner school.

Could you introduce yourself?

My name is Khalid, I’m Sudanese by nationality and live in Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya. I’ve been in refuge since I was 14, and took part in the Amala Using Online Technologies to Create Change course. I am currently working at Refugee Resilience and Hope, an initiative I founded aiming to rebuild the resilience and hope of refugees around the world.

What made you want to enrol in an Amala programme?

I joined Amala because it offers quality courses which empower youth to help improve their lives. Amala inspires refugees who have taken the courses to use the skills and the knowledge in which they have obtained to give back to their community.

What did you enjoy most about the course?

I liked how practical it was, and that I was able to practice my skills that I learned on the course, which have been valuable in my work. It also deepened my understanding of digital tools, which has supported me in my work with Refugee Resilience and Hope.

How did you end up facilitating Amala’s English for Changemakers course with YEDA (Youth Education and Development Association) and what have you learnt from that?

I have been a facilitator in the past and have worked with many CBOs (Community-Based Organisations). Amala’s guidelines made it easy to facilitate the learning on the course. I enjoyed facilitating the English for Changemakers course and I really gave back to the community. 

What prompted you to start Refugee Resilience and Hope and where do you see it going in the future?

I’ve been gaining knowledge so that I can give back to the community, including through my facilitation work. I wanted to make an organisation not just for the camp or African refugees, but refugees all over the world. We want to restore hope to refugees, as many have lost hope. We want to restore hope to them through our programme to help them rebuild their lives without humanitarian aid. 

What are some of your plans for the future?

One of my biggest dreams is to help the refugee community. Not just in Kakuma Camp, which has 220,000 refugees, but around the world, including in my homeland, Sudan. I have been a refugee since I was 14 and haven't seen my parents since 2014, but I still have hope. I am resilient. 

What advice would you give to other people who also want to become changemakers in their communities?

We, the young generation, are the luckiest generation. We have a lot of courses and opportunities available to us. When we gain all these skills and knowledge, we should pass them on to others in my generation, my fellow young people and refugees. I don’t get tired of talking about refugees. I want to speak on their behalf and I want their voices to be heard around the world. So, my advice to the youth around is to remember that we are the leaders of tomorrow.

“We are the pillars of the community. We are the pillars of the world. We are the pillars of our countries and we are the change.”