Feb 05, 2026 Voice for Equity
General Report

Voice for Equity Community Infrastructure Development Project

 

This project focused on constructing and improving essential facilities to strengthen Voice for Equity’s capacity to deliver quality education, protection, social and emotional Learning and psychosocial support services within Kakuma Refugee Camp. The primary objective was to create safe, inclusive, and functional spaces that support learning, community engagement, and organizational operations.

 Key objectives included improving access to child-friendly learning environments, providing secure spaces for Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) and Psychosocial Support (PSS) activities, and enhancing administrative efficiency through adequate office infrastructure.

 Key activities involved the construction of multipurpose learning spaces, renovation of existing structures, installation of basic furniture, good power system and improvement of safety and accessibility features. Community members were engaged throughout the process to promote ownership and sustainability.

 The new constructions have significantly improved service delivery, increased program reach, and provided a dignified environment for children, youth, and community members to learn, heal, and participate in development initiatives led by Voice for Equity.

During the most recent project period, Voice for Equity conducted a comprehensive data collection exercise to identify out-of-school children and orphans across targeted zones in Kakuma 3. Through household visits and community referrals, the project documented over 90 vulnerable children, including school dropouts and orphans, enabling accurate targeting and evidence-based programming.

Using this data, Voice for Equity supported 31 children to return to school through re-enrollment follow-up, provision of learning materials, and linkage with nearby schools.  59 Orphans and highly vulnerable children were prioritized for continuous psychosocial support and mentorship.

To support these efforts, Voice for Equity completed the construction of new classrooms connected to the main office block, creating a safe and accessible learning and coordination space. These new facilities are now used for bridge learning, SEL and PSS sessions, case management, and administrative follow-up.

The integration of data-driven identification, direct child support, and improved infrastructure has strengthened our service delivery, coordination and accountability to the community.

Lessons Learned and Emerging Best Practices

This project generated important lessons that continue to guide Voice for Equity’s programming. A key lesson learned is that data-driven identification of out-of-school children and orphans is essential for effective targeting and accountability. Conducting community-based data collection before implementation helped us understand the real magnitude of school dropout and vulnerability, avoid duplication, and prioritize the most at-risk children.

Another lesson is the value of integrating infrastructure with services. Constructing classrooms directly connected to the office improved coordination between education activities, psychosocial support, and case management. Staff could follow up on individual children more efficiently, while learners benefited from a safe, child-friendly environment close to support services.

Strong community engagement also emerged as a best practice. Working with parents, caregivers, community leaders, and volunteers increased trust, improved school re-enrollment outcomes, and strengthened child protection referrals. Community involvement in construction fostered ownership and sustainability.

Furthermore, combining education support with SEL and PSS proved effective in addressing both academic and emotional barriers to learning, especially for orphans and previously out-of-school children. Finally, we learned the importance of flexible, locally led approaches, allowing timely adaptation to emerging needs and maximizing impact despite limited resources.