Alumni Spotlight: Meet Rebecca, a 19-year old digital entrepreneur
Rebecca Kibasumba was 8 years old when her family arrived in Kenya after fleeing civil war in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Adjustment to life in Naibori was hard: Rebecca and her family faced language, cultural, and economic barriers - all while coping with the trauma of fleeing violence in the DRC. Eleven years later, at 19, she's proving that your starting point doesn't determine your destination—Rebecca is the highest earner in RefuSHE’s digital skills training program of 30 students.
Like many refugee families, Rebecca's early years in Kenya were about survival and starting over. After finishing high school, she sought opportunities in the growing digital economy and launched a small social media and digital marketing business. While she had the passion and drive, she lacked the technical expertise needed to truly excel in the competitive digital landscape.
RefuSHE’s ICT digital skills training program became her game-changer. Over six months, Rebecca transformed from someone with basic computer skills into a confident digital professional. She mastered advanced marketing strategies, learned to navigate freelancing platforms like Upwork and Fiverr, and developed sophisticated graphic design skills using Photoshop and Illustrator.
“Digital skills training is essential for us because it lets us create our own opportunities instead of waiting for someone to hire us. This is especially important for refugees who might face barriers in traditional jobs.”
The results speak for themselves. In just two months after completing the program, Rebecca is now the top earner in her class and is securing clients through multiple freelance platforms.
What once operated without much structure now runs like a small professional agency. Rebecca confidently takes on graphic design projects, creating logos, posters, business cards, and marketing materials for clients. Most importantly, she now knows how to promote her own business effectively across social media platforms.
Rebecca's success has deepened her belief in the power of digital skills for refugee girls. "Digital skills training is essential for us because it lets us create our own opportunities instead of waiting for someone to hire us," she says. "This is especially important for refugees who might face barriers in traditional jobs."
Today, Rebecca isn't just earning money—she's building a sustainable business and showing other young refugee women that their circumstances don't have to define their potential.
Check out our recent Instagram post about Rebecca. Give her a shoutout in the comments!
