What is the challenge

Kumwe Hub has identified a critical gap: the lack of accessible, affordable, quality childcare in refugee camps in Rwanda and Kenya. This is forcing refugee mothers to choose between caregiving and having a job. This is limiting refugee mother’s economic inclusion and affects their children’s well-being and development.

What is innovative about the project

Kumwe Hub is scaling a refugee-designed, refugee-led, and refugee-financed daycare model. Unlike traditional aid-run services, the Refugee-led Daycare centers are owned by refugees and operate as self-sustaining businesses, independent from humanitarian funding.

What are the expected outcomes

Refugee children will gain access to safe, nutritious, and high-quality early learning environments. At the same time, their mothers will have increased opportunities for income generation through entrepreneurship or employment within the camp. In the longer term, refugee communities will manage an affordable and sustainable childcare system that is not reliant on continuous donor funding.

Who are the project partners?

Kumwe Hub (the innovative finance arm of Save the Children) is leading on the innovation and scale-up; Save the Children will be providing technical Early-Childhood Development, Health and Nutrition and Safeguarding expertise. Partners include UNHCR, Inkomoko, and existing Refugee-led Daycare businesses.