Ebengo Honore stands out as an entrepreneur who has made a significant impact in the challenging environment of Kakuma Refugee Camp, where resources are limited and opportunities scarce. He first developed a solo freelance business and then founded Advocacy Initiative for Youth Development (AdIYD2), to create opportunities for others.
His story is a powerful lesson for entrepreneurs: it isn’t tools or resources that drive success. As someone who committed themselves to developing knowledge and skills in business, Honore is a testament that self-motivated entrepreneurs can build their own path to success.
To overcome obstacles, build your own path to success
Honore’s life took a significant turn when he was forced to flee his home country, the Democratic Republic of Congo.
He arrived in Kenya's Kakuma Refugee Camp with a hopeful outlook on his circumstances. Instead of feeling challenged by the limited opportunities to make a steady income, Honore saw this as an opportunity for personal and professional growth.
He turned to the field of Information and Communications Technology (ICT), knowing the availability of digital work could provide opportunities for income beyond the camp.
But first, he had to learn English.
Honore dedicated time each day to lessons and practice, until his fluency was at a high enough level to begin ICT classes (which were all in English).
His next hurdle had an even bigger reward than starting his coursework. After learning the fundamentals of Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Photoshop and web page design, Honore started designing logos, Facebook pages and websites to generate personal income.
This from a person who, at the time, didn’t own a smartphone.
Honore recalls the moment a friend gifted him one with a smile, saying they remarked, "How can you learn ICT without even having a smartphone?"
With each new skill, opportunity and experience, Honore was taught a crucial lesson: success is less about the tools you possess and more about the skills you develop. He began to think other people in his community could benefit from the same skills and knowledge, and this laid the foundation for his work with AdIYD2.
As you build your path, bring others along to help
Honore grew up not knowing his rights, and after attending a series of online conferences, he learned that education in refugee camps was a basic right–for both adults and youth.
To develop his teaching skills, Honore attended an online course for refugee teachers. After the course concluded a child at the camp asked Honore a profound question, “Do children in rural areas, especially in refugee camps, have the same access to digital skills as those in urban settings?” This question drove Honore to consider how he could bridge the digital divide for youth in refugee camps.
He had kept in touch with course instructors and other refugee teachers in a WhatsApp group, and reached out to them to develop his idea and explore options to secure funding.
One of the group members was Dr. Ilene Winokur, a passionate educator (and entrepreneur in her own right). Dr. Winokur encouraged Honore to transform his passion for education and his desire to create opportunities for youth into a formal program.
Drawing on seed money from Dr. Winokur, Honore founded AdIYD2 in 2019 and created a comprehensive program designed to give refugees essential skills to create opportunities in their unique circumstances. Honore initially partnered with Street Business School to enhance the quality of education being offered in the program.
Today, AdIYD2 has already positively impacted over 2,400 refugees, equipping them with the skills to earn money, pursue further education and contribute to their communities.
Many AdIYD2 graduates have gone on to found their own refugee-led organizations. For instance, Saleh Vwaza now runs Shutter Work Studio and Saleh Real Production. Sadia Kuku established Social Advocacy for Integrated Development, and Ajabna Hassan Kuku founded the Initiative and Advocacy for Orphans Development.
Others, like Dominic Nakwa, Jarida Lotimbo, Sami Mohamed and Rhoda Alamin, have secured roles in organizations such as the Lutheran World Federation and Kakuma Vocational Center (KVC), showcasing the program's broad influence and reach.
Amina, a 22-year-old Sudanese woman, has lived in Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya since fleeing her home in Sudan at the age of 11. Despite the challenges of resettling in a new environment and facing financial constraints, Amina developed a passion for education, particularly in computer science, with the dream of becoming a software developer. AdIYD2 allowed her to pursue studies, but limited resources and unstable internet access have made her journey difficult.
Taking Honore’s lead, Amina remains focused on achieving her goals and encourages other young girls in the camp to keep pursuing their education, despite the challenges they may face. Her story is one of resilience and unwavering commitment to building a better future.
Challenges along the path are opportunities for growth
Honore’s journey has been characterized by continuous innovation and adaptation. When the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted in-person classes, Honore quickly shifted AdIYD2 to digital platforms, using WhatsApp groups and mobile apps to ensure learning continued uninterrupted.
The pivot to online learning also helped him realize that by offering digital and computer skills to youth, they’d be equipped to access remote work and support themselves and their families.
A successful person uses the skills they learn to create an income.Ebengo Honore
He’s now developing the RemoteFugee Hub, an online platform designed to provide refugees with access to jobs and learning opportunities. This initiative aims to address the significant barriers refugees face in accessing technology, remote work and recognized credentials. And while it hasn’t yet gotten off the ground, Honore remains committed to this project and continues to seek support for it.
Promote growth by inviting others along on your journey
Despite the impact Honore has been able to make, he still faces a challenge many entrepreneurs encounter–funding his vision.
He’s found that securing in-kind gifts has helped keep AdIYD2 running, while reducing operating costs. Among them, support for projects has come from the UNHCR and the Norwegian Refugee Council. He even secured free Wi-Fi through unconnected.org and developed new digital learning labs with sponsorship from SpaceX. He remains optimistic about funding opportunities and continues to build his network and form collaborations with international organizations.
One networking connection has been the Migration Summit, where Honore presented in 2022. He has since taken part in each edition, and this year’s theme, “Unlocking and Engaging Talent: Pathways for Dignified Work,” prompted him and AdIYD2 to offer a coding and mentorship boot camp for girls in the Kakuma Refugee Camp. Upon completion, the participants were connected with various online job opportunities.
After taking part in other workshops at Migration Summit 2024, Honore reflected on the AdIYD2 training program and felt that focusing on fundamentals was no longer relevant. He’s been meeting with the team to discuss more advanced skill development, including coding, programming and graphic design with Adobe Premiere Pro and Illustrator.
Honore’s journey shows that success isn’t dependent on having the best tools but on developing the right skills. By focusing on what you can control—your knowledge, abilities and determination—you can create opportunities where none seem to exist.
Whether in a refugee camp or a bustling city; hard work, continuous learning and giving back to your community can lead you down the universal pathway to success.
Honore’s work is a testament to the idea that with the right mindset and a commitment to skill development, it’s possible to overcome even the most daunting challenges. For emerging entrepreneurs, Honores story is a powerful reminder that success is within reach—no matter where you start.