Digital Wellness: Refugee Youths Online Safety and Digital Careers

Agau and Chance come from different backgrounds—Agau faced displacement and abduction, while Chance dealt with the impact of war.

Despite their distinct experiences, they both share a common goal of seeking education and digital empowerment.

Their stories highlight resilience and determination in challenging situations, showcasing how education and skill-building can bring about positive transformation, even in difficult circumstances.

Chance Story

Charles sitting on a chair in his school during the interview

Chance, a Congolese national, arrived at Kakuma refugee camp with his family in 2017 due to the war in their home country, which displaced many people.

Originally, his family were farmers and business owners, relying on a small-scale business for income. However, in the camp, they now depend solely on aid and earnings from handyworks.

Currently a form two student at a local Secondary School, Chance was thrilled to join the program during the school's mobilization.

‘It's my dream career to become an IT expert in the field of computing. I was also interested in joining to learn about the latest trends in computing and how technology can impact people's lives."

With aspirations to become a computer expert in the field of computer science, Chance requests additional training from RAI to further assist the community in acquiring valuable skills.

The training gave me crucial skills, especially in protecting online data and securing digital access to prevent unauthorized entry. Now, I share this knowledge with my peers, helping them avoid online scams and safeguard their information."

Agau's Story

Agau during the interview on the right in a white T-shirt

Agau, a South Sudanese, is currently a high School student in Kakuma 3. She was encouraged to attend the Misinformation Exhibition and Data Detox Workshop during the school mobilization by her peers and recruiters due to her interest in studying computer science as future career.

I learnt about design tricks, account settings, and privacy. Now, I am applying my newfound knowledge by teaching my community colleagues who have no prior expertise in digital security."

With aspirations to pursue computer science as a future job, Agau hopes that more local non-profits and schools could provide more classes on digital safety and computer skills.

She is optimistic that these workshops will aid refugee teenagers develop a healthy approach towards digital wellness.