SAVIO apprenticeship education project in Kakuma: supporting youth and economic integration in Kenya

In cooperation with the Salesians of Don Bosco in Kenya, SAVIO o.z. carried out a project in the town of Kakuma in north-western Kenya. The main goal of the project, titled Programme of apprenticeship education and economic integration of the Kenyan community and refugees in Turkana County, was to reduce the rate of poverty in Turkana County, which is the poorest county in Kenya. The project contributed to this goal by opening a new practical-skills course and through activities aimed at the economic integration of apprenticeship graduates.

The town of Kakuma neighbours the Kakuma refugee camp, which is home to more than 312,000 refugees and asylum seekers. More than 60% of the camp’s population are young people, and experience has shown that practical skills are what matters most in their education. The Salesians of Don Bosco are the largest provider of apprenticeship education in Kakuma. Their youngest educational institution there is the Don Bosco Technical Institute in Kakuma, which came into being in 2017 thanks to SAVIO o.z. and SlovakAid — within a joint 2017–2019 project, the first carpentry course was opened in the town of Kakuma. Today the apprenticeship school has more than 700 students in courses covering English, basic computer skills, information technology, electrical engineering, solar technologies, construction, plumbing, carpentry, turning, welding, accounting and secretarial skills.

The project delivered 3 results:

1. Expanded infrastructure of the Technical Institute – a new school building was constructed, which increased the institute’s capacity and significantly improved learning conditions. Students expressed high satisfaction with the new premises, reaching 93%.
2. Improved access to digital skills – the institute, equipped with computers and an internet connection, introduced digital literacy courses integrated into the tailoring courses. The project exceeded the original target — 92 students gained access to digital skills.
3. Strengthened practical vocational training – the project carried out two consecutive courses in tailoring and fashion design with national certification (NITA). 92 students improved their practical skills. Of these, 21 graduates started their own tailoring businesses.

Topics such as gender equality and environmental sustainability were an integral part of the project. The courses were inclusive, open to both men and women, thereby supporting gender equality (SDG 5). Environmentally conscious teaching methods — such as using recycled materials for practical exercises and waste sorting on the premises — contributed to the project’s environmental goals (SDG 13).

The project also placed emphasis on economic integration after course completion, supporting entrepreneurial initiatives among graduates, including training in business skills, mentoring and the formation of groups for small cooperative enterprises.

Overall, the project successfully addressed the lack of practical skills, supported social cohesion between refugees and the local Kenyan community and laid the foundations for sustainable vocational education and economic development in the Turkana region.