Refugees as Leaders, Not Just Survivors

The global refugee narrative has long focused on loss, what was left behind, what was endured, and what was survived. While these stories of resilience are powerful, they are not the whole story. At Raising Hope Centre, we believe it’s time to shift the lens. It’s time to recognize refugees as leaders, not just survivors, not merely as recipients of aid, but as active contributors to development, peace, and progress.

Refugees are not only survivors of hardship; they are also leaders, innovators, and changemakers within their communities and beyond. Our work is grounded in the conviction that refugees have both the right and the capacity to lead, and that true empowerment begins when their voices are heard, respected, and centered in decision-making.

Moving Beyond Survival with a Leadership Lens

Leadership can take many forms. For refugee communities, it often shows up in small but powerful ways, through organizing mutual aid, mentoring youth, or starting social initiatives that uplift others. Yet too often, refugee voices remain underrepresented in decision-making spaces that directly impact their lives.

By promoting refugee-led leadership, we open up new pathways for inclusive development, sustainable solutions, and stronger communities. Refugees bring lived experience, cultural insight, and creative problem-solving skills that are essential in shaping policies and programs that work.

Our Role in Advocacy and Inclusion

At Raising Hope Centre, we are actively advocating for refugee rights and inclusion in both local and national platforms. Our mission is not just to serve refugee communities, but to stand with them as equal partners, amplifying their voices and supporting their agency.

We work to:

• Advocate for the right to education, work, and social inclusion
• Promote community leadership and self-representation
• Engage in policy dialogues and advocacy networks to push for systemic change

By supporting refugee leadership, we help shift the narrative from one of dependency to one of dignity, empowerment, and influence.

🤝 Collaborating with Refugee-Led Networks

Raising Hope Centre is proud to be part of the growing movement of refugee-led organizations and networks across the country, a movement rooted in solidarity, shared purpose, and collective power. As we work side by side with other refugee-led and ally organizations, we are building a new model of humanitarian response: one that is inclusive, participatory, and driven by those most affected.

Through strategic collaboration and joint advocacy, we join forces with like-minded partners who are committed to:

• Centering refugee voices in the design, implementation, and evaluation of programs, ensuring that initiatives reflect real needs and aspirations.
• Building capacity within refugee communities so they can define and drive their own development agendas, from education and livelihoods to health and social cohesion.
• Strengthening coordination between refugee-led and host-community-led initiatives, fostering mutual understanding, shared leadership, and lasting impact.

These partnerships are not just symbolic gestures, they are vital. They ensure that refugee leadership is not only acknowledged but also respected, resourced, and woven into the fabric of sustainable development. Together, we are shaping a future where refugee-led action is the standard, not the exception.

For example RELON‑Kenya (Refugee‑Led Organizations Network of Kenya) is a national network of refugee-led organizations, founded in 2019. RELON‑Kenya strengthens collaboration, builds capacity, and amplifies refugee voices in policymaking at national and field‑level platforms.

🌍 A Future Led by Refugees

The future of humanitarian response and community development must be one where refugees are not just included, they are leading the way. It’s time to recognize refugees as leaders, not just survivors.

Raising Hope Centre is proudly refugee-led, grounded in the lived experiences, voices, and leadership of those who have walked the refugee journey themselves. From our founding members to our program directors, refugees are not just participants in our work, they are the drivers of it. This leadership model ensures our initiatives are rooted in real needs, cultural understanding, and community trust.

By placing refugees at the helm, we challenge traditional aid models and demonstrate that sustainable solutions come from within. At Raising Hope Centre, we don’t just support refugees, we empower them to lead.

We remain committed to creating platforms, programs, and partnerships that elevate refugee leadership and challenge outdated narratives. Because refugees are not a burden, they are a powerful force for change.

✨ How You Can Help Today