For every student we train, 4 more are asking to join. And we’re out of seats.
Creative Gateway students honing digital skills in Kakuma.
They’ve seen their friends get hired. Now they want in.
But we’re maxed out.
Since we launched this program, we've been blown away by how much interest there is in 3D modeling in Kakuma. With every new cohort, we've seen more curiosity, more eager youth ready to learn, and more success stories proving this program really works.
So when we opened applications for Cohort IV in March, we figured we’d see the usual—a steady increase, maybe a few more applications than last time.
But oh boy, we were in for a surprise!
More youth applied for Cohort IV than any cohort before it—by a huge margin.
It was a record-breaking turnout that blew past every expectation we had.
Why?
Because word has spread.
Youth in Kakuma aren’t just hearing about 3D modeling—they’re seeing it change lives right in front of them.
They’ve seen their friends go from learning Blender to actually landing freelance gigs.
They’ve watched past graduates start earning, gaining financial independence, and proving that this isn’t just a skill—it’s a career path.
They know this works. And now, they want in.
The demand is undeniable.
One of our Creative Gateway students in Kakuma Refugee Camp working on a 3D model at the digital skills hub.
How we took our message further—and reached more Kakuma youth than ever
When we opened applications for Cohort IV, we knew demand was high. But we also knew something else:
If we wanted to reach the youth who needed this program the most, we couldn’t just sit back and wait.
We had to meet them where they were.
We had to make them see that this was real.
We had to show them that 3D modeling wasn’t just for “other people”—it was for them.
Here’s how we did it:
1.Local partners in Kakuma stepped up—and helped us go bigger than ever
We teamed up with reputable organizations on the ground—like Don Bosco and Jesuit Refugee Service—who were already working with youth in Kakuma.
And their impact? Massive.
They helped us spread the word far beyond our usual reach.
They connected us with young people who would have never found out about the program otherwise.
They made sure the right message reached the right people—the ones who needed it most.
For many youth, this was the first time they realized: “Wait, I can actually do this?”
And once that realization hit? They showed up.
Creative Gateway graduate from Kakuma Refugee Camp delivering a speech
2.Our past students are the Creative Gateway Program’s biggest advocates
Here’s the thing: It’s one thing to hear about an opportunity. It’s another thing entirely to hear it from someone who’s actually been through it.
That’s why we didn’t just rely on advertisements. We sent our graduates—real success stories—back into the community to talk about what this program had done for them.
For instance, OJ, one of our very first graduates from cohort 1, went from learning 3D modeling to becoming a facilitator.
OJ didn’t just tell people about the program—he proved what was possible.
He stood in community forums and even youth parliament sessions, showing young people in his community what was within their reach.
He talked about how freelancing had changed his life. He showed them how they could start earning too.
He made them believe.
And when young people in Kakuma see someone who looks like them, comes from their community, and has built something for themselves?
They don’t just listen. They believe it can happen for them too.
And that? That changed everything.
Creative Gateway students at Kakuma Refugee Camp focused on 3D modelling at their computer.
From 70 to 300+ Applications: demand is surging, but we’re still turning most away
If you ever doubted that refugee youth want digital skills, here’s the data to prove it:
Cohort I: Around 70 applicants → 20 selected
Cohort II: Around 150 applicants → Fewer than 40 selected
Cohort III: Around 200 applicants → Fewer than 40 selected
Cohort IV (2025): Just over 300 applicants → Only 20 selected
And yet, even after all those applications, we’ve been forced to select fewer than 40 youth each time.
This year? Only 20.
Let that sink in.
Not because they weren’t good enough. Not because they weren’t ready. But because we simply don’t have the space to support more.
Every new graduate needs somewhere to keep working—somewhere to access tools, stable internet, mentorship, and community. And right now, our hub can’t stretch any further.
So when the cohort grows, we can’t just add students—we also have to protect the runway for the ones who’ve already graduated.
That means saying “no” to talented, ready youth… not because they don’t deserve a shot, but because there’s literally no room.
And that hurts. Every time.
And what about laptops?
Two Creative Gateway students in Kakuma Refugee Camp collaborating on a 3D modelling project, sharing a laptop as part of their digital skills training in Kenya.
Thanks to generous support, we do have laptops!
So what’s the problem?
What we don’t have is a fast, reliable way to get them from Europe to Kakuma.
By the time a donated laptop reaches Kakuma, another cohort has already begun—and more students are stuck waiting, watching, and hoping.
Here’s why this matters:
🔸 Every delay keeps students waiting. Without equipment, talented youth are stuck on the sidelines, missing out on skills, practice, and paid work.
🔸 Freelancers can’t earn if their tools are in transit. Once students graduate, they’re ready to work—but they need consistent access to a laptop to take on jobs, meet deadlines, and build their freelance careers.
🔸 Momentum is everything. We’ve worked hard to build trust with students, partners, and the community. But long delays risk slowing everything down.
That’s why this isn’t just a resourcing issue. It’s a logistics challenge. One that’s stalling real potential.
We’re currently working with UNHCR to support the shipment process, but international logistics take time—and that’s what we’re running out of.
How you can help?
✅ Know someone in logistics or global supply chain operations?
Your network could help us move equipment faster and smarter.
✅ Work with an organization already transporting goods to Kenya or Kakuma?
Let’s collaborate—shared cargo space could mean more youth trained.
✅ Willing to help cover shipping, customs, or last-mile delivery costs?
Your support could be the final link between a donated laptop and a student’s first freelance job.
✅ Have laptops to donate, but don’t know how to get them here?
We’re building a system that makes it easier. Reach out, and we’ll connect the dots.
Every piece of generosity counts.
And together, we can move faster—because talent shouldn’t sit on a waitlist while tools sit in storage.
As the demand keeps rising—your support & funding can help us train more youth in Kakuma
We’ve built something incredible.
We have the students—driven, hungry to learn, ready to work.
We have the trainers—skilled mentors and facilitators guiding them every step of the way.
We have proof of concept—graduates who started with nothing and are now earning through freelancing.
And it doesn’t stop there.
We also have a hub where students can work, collaborate, and freelance.
A peek inside our Digital Skills lab in Kakuma.
We have a thriving community where young people feel safe, supported, and empowered to grow.
Just think about it: if this many students applied this time, what will Cohort V look like?
We don’t just need to keep up—we need to ensure that every student who wants to learn gets a chance
And this? This is where your CSR budget can make a real, measurable difference.
With your support:
It means we don’t have to turn away talented, driven youth who are ready to learn—just because we don’t have enough resources.
It means more graduates moving from learners to earners—fully prepared to take on projects, secure freelance jobs, and build independent careers.
It means shifting from just training students to creating a self-sustaining cycle of opportunity, where today’s learners become tomorrow’s mentors.
The results are real—10X income, 100X impact. Let’s grow it!
As you can see, the demand is growing. The talent is here. The only missing piece is YOU.
We’re already making an impact, but we can do even more with the right partners.
If you want to be part of this, let’s connect:
Email our Project Lead, Vincent, at: vincent@ambitiousafrica.org
Have questions about the program? Ask us here: Creative Gateway Contact Page
The future of work is evolving—let’s ensure refugee youth in Africa aren’t left out!
Text by: Freddie Ngunju
