Baraka

My name is Lonah, and I am the Child Protection and Social Work Program Manager for RefugePoint’s Urban Refugee Protection Program (URPP) in Nairobi, Kenya. Today, I am celebrating the extraordinary courage and resilience of one of our youngest refugee clients, 14-year-old Baraka*. Recently, we learned that Baraka, who is a separated child living in Nairobi, Kenya, will soon be resettled to a safe, new country. Baraka has experienced a tremendous amount of hardship in his short life. When we first met Baraka in March 2016, he was in a dire situation—he required urgent medical care, clothing, counseling, and a safe place to live. Baraka’s recovery journey has been incredible. Baraka can now smile, chat, create artwork (he is an incredible artist) and ride a bicycle – seemingly simple acts that he could not do just seven months ago.

“I love riding my bicycle,” Baraka recently shared with us when we visited him at the shelter where he currently resides. “I was very happy when I received a new bicycle. I also love drawing, particularly animals like elephants because they are big. My teacher taught me how to draw; that is why I enjoy drawing. Among the pictures I have drawn are a horse and my friend Ben* who lives here with me,” said Baraka, with a shy smile.

A commitment to protecting children underpins all that we do at RefugePoint. Children make up over 50% of the entire population of refugees, despite the fact that children account for only 31% of the world’s population. Many refugee children have lost their traditional support systems (extended family, neighbors, teachers), leaving them especially susceptible to abuse, violence, exploitation, and continued trauma. Their schooling is also frequently interrupted, often put on hold for years on end. For children like Baraka, who are at risk, unaccompanied or separated from parents or orphaned—we conduct Best Interest Assessments and Best Interest Determinations (BIAs and BIDs) to assess the minor’s situation and determine the best way forward. In Baraka’s case, UNHCR determined that the best long-term solution for Baraka was resettlement.

Many RefugePoint team members and partner organizations collaborated to support Baraka on his journey to recovery and reaching safety and stability through resettlement.

“I’d like to thank Grace (RefugePoint Child Protection Officer) and Lonah for bringing me to this place where I’m now staying. I’m also thankful to Rebecca (RefugePoint Community Health Officer) for taking me to the hospital,” said Baraka when we visited him at the shelter where he currently resides.

Baraka is our hero of 2022! His story motivates our team to do the work that we do.

(*name changed for protection)