JRS (Jesuit Refugee Services)

Kenya is a country with hundreds of thousands of refugees and JRS is working to provide a better life for these people.

*The Kenyan office works with refugees from East Africa currently living in Nairobi or Kakuma (the refugee camp in Kenya).

*There are are over 269,000 refugees in Kenya located at the two main refugee camps and possibly a million or more other refugees in spread throughout Nairobi (the capital city) and other areas in the country.

*Social services are provided:
-1 on 1 counseling= counselor training (refugees then begin counseling others)
-massage facilities (help find physical problems and address them)
-SAFE HAVEN= battered women and children's center.

*Educational Services:
-Scholarship program: started with primary and secondary education; in 2001-- started providing university scholarships; 2006-- only offering scholarships for 2 year diploma programs; 50% of those enrolled in these programs are woman; the refugees have an extremely high motivation and perform very well in the degree programs.

JRS Mikono Income Generating Project
-Suffering is the reality for the majority of refugees-- as they are not allowed to work, and therefore have no means of sustenance.

1) Micro finance campaign-- loans are provided without interest, this enables refugees to begin small businesses such as arts and crafts, etc.

2) Mikono shop-- hand crafted goods made by refugees; high quality products but difficult to market; the majority of Kenyans cannot afford luxury items so international marketing will be important. (One can help by buying in bulk order from the shop and resell for fund raising purposes)

Pastoral Center
-Home visits by Pastors who work with refugees to learn more about their situation and condition.