Education is the cornerstone of empowerment. Yet, millions of refugee youth in East Africa are out of school due to poverty, displacement, discrimination, and systemic gaps. Girls and youth with disabilities are disproportionately affected.
Students in Class in Kiziba Refugee Camp, Rwanda © RYCM
RYCM believes education is not a privilege, but a right — one that must be protected, especially for young people displaced by conflict, crisis, or persecution.
For many refugee children and youth, fleeing their homes also means fleeing their classrooms. Displacement often disrupts years of schooling, and for too many, the opportunity to learn may never return. Structural barriers, discrimination, poverty, and trauma make it difficult — if not impossible — for refugee youth to access quality education. Girls and children with disabilities are disproportionately left behind.
RYCM works to break this cycle. We advocate for policies, practices, and partnerships that protect the right to education for all displaced youth. From early schooling to higher education, we strive to ensure refugee learners are not just enrolled but empowered — with the tools, mentorship, and support systems to succeed in the classroom and beyond.
Because when refugee youth are educated, they become changemakers. They gain the power to rebuild their communities, challenge injustice, and lead with hope.
Only 34% of refugee children in Uganda are enrolled in secondary education (UNHCR, 2023).
In Rwanda, only 16% of refugee youth reach upper secondary school (UNICEF, 2022).
Girls are 2x more likely to drop out due to early marriage, caregiving burdens, and menstrual health challenges.
Refugee youth with disabilities are among the least likely to attend or complete school.
We implement targeted mentorship and psychosocial support programs across refugee settlements and host communities. Our trained mentors work closely with youth to help them navigate academic transitions, overcome trauma-related learning barriers, and stay motivated to complete their education.
By fostering trust, providing emotional support, and building positive peer networks, our mentors become pillars of strength for youth who might otherwise slip through the cracks. We also engage schools and caregivers to create inclusive learning environments that prioritize mental health and retention.
Accessing scholarships can be overwhelming for refugee youth. RYCM operates community-based “Scholarship Navigation Hubs” that provide 1-on-1 application coaching, document verification support, and interview preparation. We also offer English language support and test readiness for exams like IELTS and TOEFL.
These hubs are vital in bridging the gap between talent and opportunity, ensuring that no promising learner misses out on higher education due to lack of guidance.
Refugee Youth Changemakers (RYCM) is offering fully sponsored online learning slots for refugees and vulnerable youth. Through our partnership with Coursera, learners will access high-quality courses created by top universities and global companies like Google, IBM, Yale University, and Meta. These certificates are internationally recognized and can help you gain real digital, professional, and career-boosting skills.
You will choose one learning program like Tech, Digital Foundations, Creative Skills, Entrepreneurship, Global Digital Careers, or Leadership and complete it within 4 months. After finishing, you also qualify to join another program. All courses are paid for by RYCM, and learners receive Coursera certificates + an RYCM Certificate of Learning.
Your support can empower refugee youth with education, skills, and opportunities to lead change in their communities.
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