Elimisha Kakuma

What Elimisha Kakuma does

Elimisha Kakuma is a US-incorporated 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2021 that operates the first college-preparatory gap-year program designed specifically for refugees from Kakuma Refugee Camp in northwest Kenya. The program targets high school graduates from the camp (housing over 300,000 refugees from more than 20 nationalities) and delivers a 16-month blended curriculum combining on-site instruction at the Elimisha center in Kakuma with virtual classes delivered over Zoom. Instruction covers English proficiency across reading, writing, listening, and speaking; standardized exam preparation (SAT, ACT, Duolingo English Test); mentorship from current university students who themselves came from Kakuma; and comprehensive college application and financial aid counseling. Supporting offerings include a host family matching program for students who matriculate abroad and a post-university mentorship track via the Global Mentorship Initiative.

The organization operates with a 19-person team distributed between a Blacksburg, Virginia headquarters and the Kakuma operations center led by a Head of Kenyan Operations. Elimisha Kakuma is governed by a board including Dr. Brett Shadle (Associate Director, VT Center for Refugee, Migrant, and Displacement Studies), Brad Jones (Treasurer), and Eve Smith, with advisory input from figures including Rachael Jarosh. Co-founder Mary Maker serves as a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador, amplifying the organization's visibility through appearances at the UN High-Level Political Forum, TEDxKakumaCamp, and major media (Sky News, ABC News, Global GoalsCast).

Elimisha Kakuma is funded entirely through donations and grants. Unit economics run at approximately $7,000 per student across the 16-month program, comprising stipends ($1,600), meals ($850), in-camp transport ($525), laptop/wifi/power ($950), flights/visas/documentation ($2,835), and pre-departure supplies ($200). Revenue is not publicly disclosed, but documented 2023 inflows include a $24,000 Rotary grant (tech hub construction), a $14,000 Minnesota Friend-raiser, a $10,000 Choose Love investment (stipends for Cohort 4), and a $4,000 #GivingTuesday campaign. Student outcomes through four cohorts include 59+ university placements at a 100% acceptance rate and $20M+ in scholarships secured across partnerships with 34+ universities including Dartmouth, UC Berkeley, McGill, Tufts, University of Edinburgh, Virginia Tech, and others.

Name

Elimisha Kakuma

Legal name

Elimisha Kakuma

Website

https://elimishakakuma.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Elimisha Kakuma is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2021 that runs a 16-month college-preparatory gap-year program for high school graduates from Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya, delivering English instruction, exam prep, mentorship, and college counseling that has placed 59+ students at 34+ universities with full scholarships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Refugee Education Access Services

NAICS

Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691), Language Schools (611630), Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Structured Gap Year Programs (Multi-Sector & Rotational) (EDAIAGAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Gap Year + Study Abroad Hybrid Programs (EDAIAAAG), Language Immersion Programs & Camps (Local/Seasonal) (EDAMAFAL), Virtual Test Prep & Online Supplemental Instruction (K–12) (EDAJADAI)

Keywords

• Refugee education access
• College preparatory programs
• Gap year programs
• Higher education scholarships
• Nonprofit education services

Headquarters

HQ city

Blacksburg

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Donations and Grants: Elimisha Kakuma is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that funds its operations entirely through donations. Major funding includes Choose Love ($10K for 2024 covering stipends for 4th Cohort), Rotary International ($24K grant from Minnesota Rotary for tech hub construction), and other foundation grants. Every dollar is tax-deductible.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Elimisha Kakuma operates a 16-month college-preparatory gap year program for high school graduates living in Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya. The program delivers intensive academic instruction in English language proficiency, standardized exam preparation (SAT, ACT, Duolingo English Test), one-on-one mentorship with current university students, comprehensive college application support, and full logistical and financial support for students to transition to universities worldwide. The program is delivered through a blended model combining on-site instruction at the organization's center in Kakuma with virtual classes.

Product overview

Elimisha Kakuma is a single, unified educational program—a college-preparatory gap year program specifically designed for refugees from Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya. Founded in 2021, the program provides a comprehensive 16-month curriculum combining academic preparation (English language proficiency, exam preparation), mentorship with university students, and full college counseling services. The program is delivered through a hybrid model combining virtual and on-site instruction at the organization's center in Kakuma. Supporting components include a student funding program covering approximately $7,000 per student for living expenses, technology, and travel, plus a host family program to support students' transition to university life abroad. The program has placed 59+ students with a 100% acceptance rate and $20M+ in scholarships awarded across 34+ university partnerships.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Elimisha Kakuma College-Preparatory Gap Year Program A 16-month college-preparatory gap year program providing intensive academic instruction, English language proficiency training, exam preparation, mentorship with university students, and comprehensive college application guidance for high school graduates from Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya.
• Student Funding Package

Quantifiable outcome

• 59+ students placed in universities with 100% acceptance rate
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major, supporting and minor.

• HALI Access NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Coalition of non-profit organizations working with high-achieving, low-income (HALI) students from Africa. Elimisha became a member in 2023 after being mentored the previous year. Deirdre Hand was named leader of the Refugee Task Force.
• Virginia Tech Center for Refugee, Migrant, and Displacement Studies (VTCRMDS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Ongoing partnership since founding. VTCRMDS funds VT interns who tutor Elimisha students, professors teach courses (Public Speaking, History, Arts, Communication Skills), and provides writing support for essays. Dr. Brett Shadle (Associate Director) conducted interviews for cohort selection. Sponsored team retreat in Blacksburg in January 2023.
• UNHCRcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUN Refugee Agency. Mary Maker serves as UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador. Elimisha Kakuma is referenced as an organization supporting UNHCR's education initiatives.
• The PIEmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerSelected as Official Charity Partner for The PIE's 2024 conference series. The PIE will promote Elimisha Kakuma to attendees during four events in Australia, Boston, and London. Co-founder Mary Maker was keynote speaker at The PIE's Boston event.
• Monday.comsupportingTechnology or IntegrationMonday.com is supporting with a full product license of their project management software for the team. Additionally, they will travel to Kenya to train students using Monday.com products.
• Global Mentorship InitiativesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinds mentors for juniors and seniors in university as they begin thinking towards life after university. Important for first cohort students entering sophomore year.
• Hubbub LabssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerMarketing firm based in Barcelona working with Elimisha's marketing team to highlight the organization's story and create content with students.
• Rise (Rise Foundation)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerInitiative of Schmidt Futures and Rhodes Trust with $1 billion commitment from Eric and Wendy Schmidt. Elimisha Kakuma is working to facilitate selection of 15-17 year olds in Kakuma for potential Rise Global Winners.
• Duolingo English TestsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAwarded Elimisha Kakuma the Award for Social Advocacy in 2022. Provides English testing capabilities for student scholarship applications.
• Could YouminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresident and CEO Christine Garde partnering with the Kakuma Empowerment Program led by student Akon (University of Calgary) to bring menstrual cups to Kakuma Camp.
• Rutgers UniversitysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessor from Rutgers visited Kakuma and taught a Digital Storytelling course to the 3rd cohort. Collaboration with Talking Eyes Media/Newest Americans.
• Ashesi UniversitysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAshesi University admission team met with Elimisha students to discuss admission process and financial aid. Connected to US colleges for program exchange including Macalester College.
• WUSCsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerElimisha attended conference co-hosted by WUSC, Mastercard Foundation, Kepler, and UNHCR on strengthening transitions to post-secondary education for refugee youth.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Bridge2Rwanda: College-preparatory program in Rwanda whose alumni include three of Elimisha Kakuma's co-founders. Closest direct analogue in terms of structured gap-year curriculum, mentorship model, and US university placement focus for African students.
• KenSAP (Kenya Scholar Access Program): Kenyan college-preparatory scholarship program that identifies high-achieving low-income Kenyan students and prepares them for admission to top US universities. Directly comparable to Elimisha Kakuma in mission, cohort-based gap-year model, and university placement focus, with Elimisha listed as a partner on its website.

Peers

• African Leadership University (ALU):

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ElimishaKakuma
• Instagraminstagram.com/elimisha_kakuma
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/elimisha-kakuma

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Elimisha Kakuma