From Kakuma, Kenya to Canada: Alamin Menji Musa’s Journey of Hope and Lifesaving Impact
From First Aid Training in Kakuma to Personal Support Worker in Canada: How Medical & First Aid Training Transformed Alamin Menji Musa’s Life
My name is Alamin Menji Musa, from South Kordofan in Sudan. Like many others affected by conflict, I was forced to leave my home in search of safety and a better future. My journey eventually brought me to Kakuma Refugee Camp, Kenya, where I lived as a refugee with limited opportunities but strong determination to rebuild my life.
In 2021, I was fortunate to join the Medical and First Aid Training Program offered by Community Vitality Solutions CBO (formerly Community ActionAid Education). I was part of Cohort I (2021), and this opportunity became one of the most transformative moments of my life.
The training was not just an opportunity to learn theoretical knowledge—it was a practical, life-changing experience. During the one-year program, I gained essential skills in first aid, patient care, community health awareness, and emergency response. The training helped me develop confidence, discipline, and a strong sense of responsibility to serve others in need.
After completing the training, I began applying my skills in the community by volunteering in Kakuma, supporting in providing health services and assisting people during First aid emergencies. This experience allowed me to practice what I had learned and strengthened my commitment to the health care field.
Through dedication and the strong foundation provided by the training, I later had the opportunity to apply for work abroad. I was fortunate to be selected and eventually moved to Canada, where I now work with Macleod Group at Mahone Nursing Home as a Personal Support Worker (PSW).
Today, I use the same medical and first aid skills I learned in Kakuma to provide compassionate care to elderly residents and support their daily health needs. Every day at work reminds me how powerful education and opportunity can be—skills learned in a refugee camp are now helping me serve people in another part of the world.
The training from Community Vitality Solutions CBO empowered me with knowledge, confidence, and a pathway toward a global career in health care. What started as a learning opportunity in Kakuma has opened doors for me internationally and allowed me to contribute to the wellbeing of others.
“The Medical and First Aid Training changed my life……. It gave me more than skills—it gave me hope, confidence, and a future. From Kakuma to Canada, the knowledge I gained continues to guide my work and my purpose. I encourage young people and refugees everywhere: when you receive an opportunity to learn, take it seriously. Skills can open doors you never imagined and create lasting change not only for yourself, but for your community and the world.”
Today, I am proud that the journey that began in the Nuba Mountains, continued through Kakuma, and now extends to Canada is a testimony of resilience, opportunity, and the power of community-driven education. I remain deeply grateful to Community Vitality Solutions CBO for believing in refugee youth and empowering them with first aid skills that create lasting impact across borders.
