A South Sudanese Boy Scout has been chosen by the Kenya Scouts Association to participate in the 24th World Scout Jamboree to showcase how Scouting can empower refugees through education, skills development, community service and citizenship activities. Taking place in West Virginia, from July 22 to August 2, the World Scout Jamboree aims to inspire 50,000 young people and adults from 170 countries to take action toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals through the theme Unlock a New World.
Thirteen-year-old Kok Matim is among the over 1.043 boys and girls scouts who are beneficiaries of the Scouting for Refugees program run by the Kenya Scouts Association with the support of AVSI Foundation in Dadaab refugee camp in Garissa County, Kenya. Over the last seven years, always funded by the U.S. State Department’s Bureau for Population, Refugees and Migration (PRM), the Scouting program has been providing life changing opportunities, hope and a sense of belonging to thousands of children and young people. Dadaab scouting program has been identified as a flagship refugee scouting in Africa by the World Scout Bureau.
Scouting activities in Dadaab are excellent examples of what Scouts from everywhere could do for people, the planet, peace and prosperity. By allowing this young boy to represent Scouting from Dadaab thousands of other Scouts from different countries will be able to be inspired by their stories
Stephen Peck, Senior Director with the World Scout Bureau Global Support Centre
“This is a significant achievement,” celebrates Henry Waitindi, Program Manager and Head of Dadaab Office for Refugee Emergency and Relief Operations and Development at AVSI Foundation, a Scout Leader himself. “At AVSI, we support youth development, which is a principal we share with the Scout movement and this is why we have continued to support Scouting activities here in Dadaab.”