Hello friends,My name is Samson Maneno, founder of Strength in Unity Kenya (S.U.K.) in Kakuma Refugee Camp, Kenya.

Today I work with refugee youth, vulnerable mothers, and families through permaculture, environmental education, and community gardening.

My goal is simple: to help people gain practical skills, grow food, restore the environment, and build hope for the future.

My own journey began in Fizi, Democratic Republic of Congo. When I was very young, both of my parents passed away, and I was raised by my grandmother, Tabisha.

She became my entire world and taught me the values that still guide my life today: kindness, perseverance, and helping others whenever possible.

As conflict and instability affected our lives, my grandmother and I fled our home. We traveled through Tanzania before eventually reaching Kenya and settling in Kakuma Refugee Camp.

Life as a refugee was not easy. Opportunities were limited, and as a young man I often struggled to see a clear future for myself.After my grandmother passed away, I experienced one of the most difficult periods of my life.

Thankfully, another family welcomed me and treated me as one of their own.

Their kindness showed me that family is not only about blood—it is also about the people who stand beside you when you need them most.

Everything began to change in 2020 when I was introduced to permaculture.Sakina Kiriba introduced me to permaculture and helped me discover that food could be grown even in the difficult conditions of Kakuma.Sumahili Nyange encouraged me to share what I was learning and use it to help other people in my community.

After completing my training, I started a small garden behind my house using only a few seeds and the lessons I had learned.What began as a simple experiment soon became proof that even in the harsh conditions of Kakuma, positive change was possible. I still use that same small piece of soil today, continuing to grow food where this journey first began.

Keeping the garden alive was not easy. Water was difficult to find, and every harvest required patience, dedication, and daily work.When my first crops were harvested, people began asking questions. Youth wanted to learn. Mothers wanted to know how they could grow food for their families.

I started sharing what I had learned, and those simple conversations eventually grew into Strength in Unity Kenya.One lesson from my mentors has stayed with me ever since:

Skills without sharing are like seeds that are never planted.Today, S.U.K. helps refugee youth and vulnerable mothers learn practical skills including gardening, composting, seed saving, and environmental stewardship.Many of the mothers we work with are raising children while facing significant challenges.When families are struggling, children are often affected most. That is why supporting children and youth has become an important part of our work.

In addition to supporting mothers and families, S.U.K. also works to help children continue learning and developing their potential.Through our community school program and informal learning activities, children are able to continue learning even when resources are limited. When a classroom is available, we use it. When it is not, lessons continue outdoors so that learning does not stop.

Our goal is not simply to provide a place for children to sit. Our goal is to help them build knowledge, confidence, and hope for the future.In Kakuma, access to water can be one of the biggest daily challenges. Families often spend hours searching for water, carrying it home, and trying to keep crops alive in difficult conditions.The gardens we grow today are not only the result of seeds and hard work—they also carry the struggle, determination, and resilience of the people who refuse to give up.By helping families grow food and develop sustainable livelihoods, we strengthen entire communities.My vision is to help create a greener, healthier, and more resilient Kakuma.I dream of a future where children have proper places to learn, mothers can grow food for their families, and communities no longer struggle daily to find the water needed to support their households and gardens.

I want children to grow up believing they can become leaders, teachers, farmers, doctors, and changemakers.

I imagine a greener Kakuma with more trees, healthier soil, stronger families, and greater opportunities for future generations.

My hope is that one day Kakuma will feel more like home than a desert.

Turning that vision into reality requires more than hope. It requires people willing to stand alongside our community as we work toward a greener, healthier, and more self-reliant future.Your support helps provide seeds, tools, training materials, educational opportunities, tree planting activities, and resources that help families grow food and build resilience in Kakuma.

Every contribution helps create opportunities that continue growing long after a single donation is made.

Thank you for taking the time to learn about my story and the work of Strength in Unity Kenya. Together, we can help build a brighter future for the next generation.

With gratitude and hope,

Samson Maneno

Founder

Strength in Unity Kenya (S.U.K.)

Kakuma Refugee Camp, Kenya

Samson Maneno — Strength in Unity Kenya 🌱

From orphaned refugee child to community leader helping youth and mothers build hope through permaculture in Kakuma Refugee Camp