About JAL

JAL — Journey Ahead for Livelihoods — was born from a simple but powerful belief: that transformation is a shared journey, taken one step at a time, together. The word "Jal" means "to walk" in our language, and that is exactly what we do. We walk alongside our community — not ahead of them, not behind them, but together. Kakuma and Kalobeyei are places of extraordinary resilience. Here, people from many nations and backgrounds have built lives, raised families, and pursued dreams against enormous odds. Yet the challenges are real — illiteracy, digital exclusion, poverty, and social fragmentation touch every household in some way. We founded JAL not to wait for solutions to arrive from outside, but to build them from within. Our ten programs are not abstract concepts. Each one was designed in response to a specific challenge we see in our community every day. From teaching adults to read, to equipping young people with digital skills, to supporting orphans and empowering women economically — every program is rooted in the lived experience of the people we serve. We are a registered Community-Based Organization, governed by a constitution adopted by our members, led by an elected Executive Committee, and accountable to the community we serve. We believe in transparency, integrity, and the power of local solutions. We do not seek to replace humanitarian aid — we seek to build the bridge from aid dependency to self-reliance. To our partners, donors, and friends: we invite you to walk with us. Not because we have all the answers, but because we believe the journey is better when we take it together. Every step, no matter how small, moves us closer to a community where every person lives with dignity, opportunity, and hope. Every step together. — Zechariah Jal Gai Executive Director, JAL