From Refugee to Renewable Energy Leader: Vasco’s Journey in Kakuma

When Vasco fled the Democratic Republic of Congo to Kakuma Refugee Camp in 2010, he carried his dreams despite everything he had been through.

Feeling alone, displaced, and uncertain about the future, his primary focus was staying alive. What he didn’t realize then was that one day, his voice and those of other young people around him would inspire change for an entire community.

He says life in the camp was tough. There were days when hunger and despair nearly overwhelmed him. But through volunteering, learning new skills, and receiving mentorship, Vasco started to rebuild himself.

Under Vasco’s leadership, Okapi Green Energy has brought solar power to over 200 homes and businesses in Kakuma. The impact has been significant. Children can now do their homework after dark, women can cook safely, and small businesses can keep food fresh and increase their income.

“Electricity was something I often took for granted before I became a refugee,” Vasco says. “In Kakuma, I saw the struggle: children doing homework under candlelight, women cooking in unsafe conditions, and businesses struggling to keep food fresh. I knew we could do better.”

In 2023, with support from the Mastercard Foundation, Vasco launched a solar vocational training program for refugee youth, focusing on young women and men who are often excluded from technical and employability training. By 2025, the program had trained over 216 young women to install and fix solar systems, plus 173 others in science and technology or STEM courses.

Reflecting on the broader impact of the initiative, Vasco explains that the program is about more than just technical instruction. “We’re not just giving them skills,” Vasco says. “We’re giving them identity, purpose, and power.”

Besides providing energy, Okapi Green provides mentorship and training sessions to encourage youth empowerment, prevent trafficking, and reduce the stigma around refugee identities.

Vasco often speaks at youth forums, encouraging others not to wait for perfect conditions to make a difference.

Sometimes, when he sees a girl install a solar panel for the first time, he wonders what might have happened if he had never dared to enter the light.

Vasco’s story exemplifies what happens when young people are given a chance to lead. For him, Okapi Green Energy isn’t just a business; it’s a legacy. A torch passed from one resilient heart to another, illuminating the path for youth to shape the futures they deserve.