Digital Remote Jobs from A Refugee Perspective

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Voices of Resilience

Na'amal

31 episodes

2 months ago

The number of people who have been forcibly displaced continues to increase alarmingly; as of mid 2022, the UNHCR has reported that for the first time on record, the number of forcibly displaced people worldwide has surpassed 100 million. This is a staggering figure in itself, but another tragedy of the enormity of this number is that it often overshadows the fact that every one of those 100+ million is a distinct individual who has had their life irrevocably altered and their inspiring story tends to be buried under the statistics. During the first edition of the Migration Summit in 2022, we hosted various storytelling sessions where we heard from displaced individuals, with the aim of humanising these statistics. Similar to these sessions, we are looking to amplify the voices of some incredible individuals who have overcome obstacles far beyond our imagination. The aim of this podcast is to share the journeys of six individuals striving for the dignified life they deserve. Given that education and employment are often a pivotal part of the road to a financially stable, dignified life, this podcast will share insight on their journeys, with a focus on their education paths and livelihoods. In this podcast, we hope to contribute to the shift in the narrative of refugees across the world and encourage stakeholders and listeners alike to take action. We do not want the label of refugee to define these individuals as powerless victims, instead, we intend to portray them as the determined individuals that they are with full agency to succeed in any way they desire, given the right resources. This podcast series will consist of seven episodes. It will be released in January, in the run-up to the Migration Summit 2023 which will explore the theme “Co-creating pathways to learning, livelihood, and dignity”.

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Documentary

Education,

Society & Culture

Digital Remote Jobs from A Refugee Perspective

Voices of Resilience

55 minutes

3 months ago

Digital Remote Jobs from A Refugee Perspective

Welcome to Voices of Resilience Season 3, brought to you by Na’amal, a non-profit and social enterprise dedicated to empowering forcibly displaced individuals through dignified remote work. In this episode, we take a closer look at the world of digital remote jobs, through the eyes of refugees living and working in Kenya.

Co-hosted by Clay Lowe and Gerawork Teferra (Gera), this conversation features Daniel, a digital entrepreneur and Na’amal alumnus who grew up in Kakuma Refugee Camp. Together, they unpack the complexities of accessing and sustaining remote digital work while navigating life as a refugee in Kenya.

About Our Guest:

Daniel is a South Sudanese refugee, digital entrepreneur, and graduate of the Na’amal program. Raised in Kakuma Refugee Camp, Daniel carved out a path in the online freelancing world, becoming not only self-reliant but a role model and resource for others in his community.

About Our Co-Host:

Gerawork Teferra (Gera) is an Ethiopian refugee who has lived in Kakuma since 2011. He is currently a Resident Research Fellow at Columbia Global Nairobi, where his work focuses on refugee-host dynamics, mobility, and belonging. As co-host, Gera brings firsthand understanding and thoughtful inquiry to this conversation.

Episode Highlights:

Finding Opportunity Amidst Displacement

Gera and Daniel share their personal journeys from Kakuma to digital careers
Reflections on the absence of digital training in refugee camps, and how they filled the gap
Moments of breakthrough, self-teaching, and growing digital confidence

What Digital Work Looks Like for Refugees

Daniel walks us through a day in his life as a remote worker in a refugee setting
Benefits and trade-offs: digital work vs. traditional jobs in and around the camp
What dignity in work means when you're working across borders, but living with limited infrastructure

Barriers, Protections, and Power

Freelancing challenges: client relations, job security, and fair payment
Why digital work needs to be shaped with refugee perspectives at the center
How Daniel protects himself as a digital entrepreneur—and advice for others doing the same

Building a Digital Future That Includes Everyone

The role of gender, peer networks, and community support in the remote work space
What the private sector and tech platforms can do to close the digital divide
Big ideas for creating inclusive infrastructure, especially in under-resourced camps like Kakuma

Discussion Topics:

Bridging the digital skills gap in displacement contexts
Redefining professionalism from a refugee lens
Labor rights and ethical concerns in the gig economy
Representation and refugee-led storytelling
Community trust, family perceptions, and social shifts
Structural changes needed to support digital inclusion

Connect with Us:

Na'amal Website: namal.org
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/naamal/posts/?feedView=all
Instagram: _naamal_