From Training to Transformation: Mawahib Abdalla Ahmed’s Journey to Community Health Promoter Leadership in Kakuma, Kenya

I am Mawahib Abdalla Ahmed, from Darfur, Sudan. Due to conflict and insecurity, I was forced to flee my home and seek safety somewhere, I came in Kakuma, Kenya, where I now live as a refugee. Like many young refugee women, rebuilding my life in a new environment came with many challenges—but also new opportunities.

In 2023, I joined Community Vitality Solutions CBO Cohort III after learning about the Medical and First Aid Training Program through community outreach. I saw it as a chance to gain first hand practical skills and serve others. The training equipped me with hands-on knowledge, confidence, and a renewed sense of purpose.

“The Medical and First Aid training gave me the skills to serve myself, family and community, and opened the door to work with International Rescue Committee as a Community Health Promoter.”

Today, I work with the International Rescue Committee (IRC) as a Community Health Promoter (CHP) in Kakuma Refugee Camp, Kenya. In my role, I lead health education and awareness sessions, mobilize communities for outreach programs, promote WASH practices, and provide psychosocial support. Every day, I apply the skills gained from training to prevent disease, strengthen resilience, and promote healthier communities.

My journey from Darfur to Kakuma, and from trainee to frontline health promoter, reflects the transformative power of health education, mentorship, and opportunity. I am proud to be part of a generation of refugee youth turning vulnerability into capability, service, and positive change within our communities.