Jane, a resilient woman, was born in Makamba, Burundi. Her life took a drastic turn in 2000 when land grabbers invaded her village, forcing her and her family to flee. Despite attempts to seek justice through the courts, death threats from the land grabbers left them with no choice but to escape. Tragically, Jane was separated from her two sisters during this period, and to this day, she does not know their whereabouts.
Jane made her way to Uganda, where she found employment as a tailor. Unfortunately, her employer subjected her to harassment and attempted sexual assault. Fearing for her life, she gathered her savings and fled to Kenya, arriving at Kakuma refugee camp in 2013. In 2014, conflict broke out in Kakuma, forcing Jane and her husband to seek refuge at a local police station for safety. Eventually, they relocated to Nairobi. When her husband’s chronic illness left him unable to work, Jane began selling peanuts to support their family.
In 2022, a RefugePoint Community Navigator connected Jane with RefugePoint’s Urban Refugee Protection Program (URPP), which assists refugees in regaining the ability to meet their own essential needs and become self-reliant. The URPP prioritizes supporting refugees using the Self-Reliance Runway Approach, which provides a concrete and measurable pathway for enhancing self-reliance. Through the URPP, RefugePoint identifies refugees experiencing extreme vulnerabilities, helps them stabilize and addresses their social protection needs, giving them a ‘runway’ to reach the point when they are ready to engage in economic pursuits and achieve a degree of self-reliance – that is, to earn sufficient income to cover their essential needs and improve their quality of life.
RefugePoint initially provided Jane and her family with essential stabilizing services, including food assistance and rent support. Jane’s husband also received medical support and counseling. Jane enrolled in RefugePoint’s business training, a crucial next step aimed at helping her achieve financial independence, where she received a business grant. Jane used the grant to start a small business selling chips (french fries).
RefugePoint taught me how to rely on myself by saving my profits, running a business, talking to customers, and other skills,” Jane shared.
Unfortunately, Jane’s first business collapsed due to circumstances beyond her control. When Jane shared her situation, RefugePoint offered additional grant support, enabling her to start another business selling peanuts. Jane’s second business supported her and her family to meet their basic needs and pay their monthly rent.
With this second business, I could pay the house rent, which made me completely happy. There was a time when we were living on the streets. Now, I know how to work and manage myself. I am very grateful for the business lessons,” Jane shared.
The stability she achieved brought Jane immense joy—no longer struggling with rent, she found security in her daily life.
Carol, Jane’s RefugePoint’s case manager, shared, “When I met Jane and her husband, the initial challenges were immense. But as Jane’s business grew, so did her confidence. She found solace and self-reliance through the business, transforming her trauma into a source of strength and independence.”
Due to security concerns in Nairobi and the husband’s medical needs, RefugePoint referred Jane and her family for resettlement to Canada. In March 2025, they were resettled to British Columbia, Canada.
“Going to Canada makes me happy because I will get a job and work without fear. My six children will also learn, and my family will be well,” Jane shared with us during her last visit to RefugePoint’s Nairobi office.