Mobile Classroom for Refugees: Container Solutions Partners with ToolKit in Kenya

Introduction

In September 2024, during a transformative three-week journey through eastern Africa, we had the privilege of meeting with ToolKit, an inspiring NGO based in Nairobi, Kenya. ToolKit is dedicated to equipping individuals with practical skills in farming, welding, and solar installation. At the helm is Jane Muigai Kamphuis, a Harvard Law School graduate and former leader of UN refugee efforts across Africa, whose vision drives the organization’s impactful mission.

ToolKit graduates have already made significant strides, supplying skilled welders to local contractors and reducing dependency on foreign labor for large-scale building projects. Remarkably, their graduates have even secured placements in Europe, underscoring the global potential of their training programs.

Expanding Education to Refugees

This year, during our visit, we learned of an urgent new opportunity: ToolKit had been approached to extend their training programs to refugees in Kenya’s northern border region. However, a critical challenge stood in the way—the lack of facilities to provide this much-needed education.

Inspired by this need, we proposed a creative solution: portable containers transformed into classrooms. Coincidentally, we were scheduled to meet the next day with Container World Africa (CWA), a Nairobi-based company specializing in container sales and modifications. Jane and her team were enthusiastic about the idea, and our meeting with Container World Africa (CWA) proved fruitful.

Meeting with CWA was a treat, they are very similar to Container Solutions selling containers and modifying them for customers, but done Africa style.  Armed with the ToolKit need they quickly provided a quote.  Soon enough we placed the order and after some details were ironed out we placed the order!

A Testament to Hands-On Generosity

As the pictures show the 2 20ft containers (see above) are completed and will be quickly become mobile class rooms for a much needed cause.  This type of hands on generosity is fantastic when you have an opportunity to use the resources you have been given, both financial and professional!

We are honored to support ToolKit’s mission and look forward to seeing the transformative impact these mobile classrooms will have on the lives of refugees and the broader community.