Why Youth Empowerment Matters in Dzaleka

From what I see every day in Dzaleka, our young people have energy, ideas, and the desire to build better lives, but many have very limited opportunities to turn their potential into a livelihood. Limited access to employment, education, skills training, and income-generating opportunities has left many facing an uncertain future.

At CRS, we believe young people need more than assistance; they need skills, confidence, opportunities, and someone to believe in their potential. Through youth empowerment, we help young people develop practical skills, explore livelihood opportunities, and become more self-reliant.

Our goal is to help young people move from uncertainty to opportunity and become active contributors to their families and communities.

The Challenges Young People Face

From my experience in Dzaleka, I see many young people who are ready to work and build their future but have very few opportunities to do so. Unemployment, limited access to education and vocational training, poverty, and lack of capital make it difficult for many to earn a reliable income.

For some, prolonged unemployment can lead to frustration, dependency, substance abuse, unsafe work, exploitation, and other risks. Young women may also face additional pressures, including early pregnancy and economic dependence.

At CRS, we do not want young people to be defined by these challenges. We want to help them discover what they can do, develop practical skills, and find pathways toward a more independent and productive life.

What We Do

At CRS, we focus on helping young people turn their potential into practical skills and opportunities. We provide support that responds to the realities young people face in Dzaleka and the surrounding host communities.

VOCATIONAL SKILLS

We provide practical training that can help young people develop skills they can use to find work, start small businesses, and earn an income.

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ENTREPRENEURSHIP

We help young people turn their skills and ideas into small income-generating activities and develop greater financial independence.

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LIFE SKILLS

We strengthen communication, decision-making, problem-solving, confidence, and other skills that help young people navigate everyday challenges.

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LEADERSHIP

We encourage young people to develop their voices, take responsibility, and participate positively in their families and communities.

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EDUCATION & LEARNING

We support learning opportunities that help young people strengthen their knowledge, develop new abilities, and continue preparing for their future.

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LIVELIHOODS & SELF-RELIANCE

We help young people explore practical pathways toward earning an income, supporting themselves and their families, and becoming less dependent on humanitarian assistance.

Economic Opportunities & Self-Reliance

Who We Support

From our work with young people in Dzaleka, we know that not every young person has the same opportunities or faces the same challenges. We focus on vulnerable youth who need practical skills, guidance, and opportunities to become more self-reliant.

VULNERABLE YOUTH

We support young people in Dzaleka Refugee Camp and the surrounding host communities, including young women and men who have limited opportunities to develop skills and earn a living.

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YOUTH FACING BARRIERS

We give particular attention to youth facing unemployment, interrupted education, poverty, limited skills, lack of livelihood opportunities, and other challenges that can affect their future.

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OPPORTUNITIES WE CREATE

We create opportunities for young people to learn, develop skills, build confidence, earn income, and participate positively in their families and communities.

We believe that young people should not be defined by the difficulties they face today, but by the possibilities they can achieve when they are given the right opportunities.

Our Approach

Over the years, working closely with young people in Dzaleka has taught me that empowerment is not about doing things for young people; it is about creating opportunities for them to develop their own abilities and take an active role in shaping their future.

LISTENING TO YOUNG PEOPLE

We listen to their experiences, challenges, ideas, and aspirations so that our support responds to what they actually need.

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BUILDING PRACTICAL SKILLS

We provide vocational, entrepreneurship, life, and leadership skills that young people can use in their daily lives and livelihoods.

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CREATING LIVELIHOOD OPPORTUNITIES

We help young people explore ways to use their skills to work, start small businesses, earn income, and become more self-reliant.

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BUILDING CONFIDENCE & LEADERSHIP

We encourage young people to believe in their abilities, make informed decisions, take responsibility, and participate positively in their communities.

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WORKING WITH OTHERS

We collaborate with families, community leaders, schools, stakeholders, implementing partners, and other organizations to strengthen opportunities and support for young people.

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PROMOTING INCLUSION

We aim to ensure that vulnerable young people, including those with fewer opportunities, are not left behind.

For us, youth empowerment means walking alongside young people and helping them turn their potential into practical opportunities for a more secure future.

Our Impact

Over the years, I have seen young people in Dzaleka use the opportunities we provide to develop skills, gain confidence, find work, and discover new ways to support themselves and their families.

YOUTH EMPOWERMENT
325+ YOUNG PEOPLE EMPOWERED Young people have gained practical vocational skills, strengthened their leadership abilities, and accessed education opportunities that can help them continue learning and prepare for their future.
SKILLS & EDUCATION Young people have gained practical vocational skills, strengthened their knowledge, and accessed education and learning opportunities that support their personal development and future goals.
LIVELIHOODS & SELF-RELIANCE  Many of our alumni are now working under employment contracts, earning an income, supporting their families, and continuing formal education as they build more secure futures.

For us, the real impact is seeing a young person move from having limited opportunities to gaining a skill, finding work, continuing their education, and becoming more able to support themselves and their family.

What We Aim to Achieve

I want to see young people in Dzaleka move from uncertainty to opportunity. We may not be able to solve every challenge they face, but we can help create practical pathways for them to develop skills, earn a living, continue learning, and become active contributors to their families and communities.

WHAT WE AIM TO ACHIEVE
MORE SKILLS & OPPORTUNITIES Expand access to vocational training, entrepreneurship, education, life skills, and leadership opportunities.
GREATER SELF-RELIANCE Help more young people use their skills to find employment, start businesses, generate income, and support their families.
STRONGER YOUNG PEOPLE Build confidence, leadership, decision-making, and positive participation so young people can take greater responsibility for their future and community.

Our hope is to see more young people discover their potential, gain the tools they need, and have a genuine opportunity to build a future with dignity and purpose.

Stand With Young People in Dzaleka

When I look at the young people around me in Dzaleka, I see potential, determination, and a strong desire to build better lives. What many are missing is not ambition, but the opportunity to turn that ambition into something practical.

HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT
VOCATIONAL TRAINING Help young people gain practical skills they can use to find work or start small businesses.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP Help young people turn their skills and ideas into income-generating opportunities.
EDUCATION & LEARNING Support young people to continue developing their knowledge, abilities, and future opportunities.
LIFE SKILLS & CONFIDENCE Help young people build confidence, make informed decisions, and navigate everyday challenges.
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT Help young people develop leadership skills and take positive roles in their families and communities.
LIVELIHOOD OPPORTUNITIES Help young people earn income, support their families, and move toward greater self-reliance.

Together, we can help young people move from uncertainty to opportunity, build their own livelihoods, and contribute to a stronger Dzaleka community.