Empowering Stateless Individuals Through AI in Dzaleka Refugee Camp, Malawi

The specific problem we are addressing is the lack of access to education and healthcare for over 50,000 refugees and asylum seekers residing in the overcrowded Dzaleka Refugee Camp in Malawi.

Access to education and healthcare is severely limited for refugees in the camp. Originally designed to accommodate 10,000-12,000 people, Dzaleka is now home to over 50,000 individuals, far exceeding its capacity. This overcrowding has strained infrastructure and resources, hindering the delivery of critical services. Only a small fraction of school-aged refugee children in the camp have access to primary education. Healthcare services are also insufficient, with shortages of medical supplies and personnel.

The lack of education and healthcare negatively impacts refugees' well-being, development, and future prospects. Without education, refugee youth are unable to develop skills needed to become self-reliant and productive members of society. Limited healthcare puts camp residents, especially vulnerable groups like children and pregnant women, at high risk of waterborne illnesses and other health issues exacerbated by poor sanitation and living conditions.

This problem affects over 50,000 individuals currently residing in Dzaleka Camp. Globally, more than 26 million refugees lack access to secondary education, putting them at risk of remaining in poverty and dependency. 

Our solution is an AI and technology training program for 30 stateless youth residing in the Dzaleka Refugee Camp. The program will provide intensive, hands-on training in AI, coding, and technology skills over the course of 9 months.

Trainees will learn skills like machine learning, data analytics, app development, and digital literacy. The training uses a blended learning approach that combines online self-paced modules, virtual instructor-led sessions, and practical projects. Trainees will gain hands-on experience developing AI and technology solutions to address real issues in the camp.

Upon completion, trainees will have developed marketable AI and tech skills to improve their employment prospects globally. They will also have launched 3 pilot projects applying their new skills to challenges in Dzaleka Camp. Examples will include an AI-powered early warning system for disease outbreaks, a mobile app to enhance healthcare access, or an online learning platform for refugee children.

The training program empowers stateless youth with in-demand skills to become self-sufficient problem solvers. It provides a pathway for them to not only improve living conditions in Dzaleka, but also access new opportunities beyond the camp through tech careers. Our goal is to equip the next generation of refugee leaders with tools to drive positive change through technology. 

The trainees will also be connected to online job portals like Upwork and fiver. Also, we will connect them directly to different companies globally for employment opportunities.

Our solution directly serves stateless youth residing in the Dzaleka Refugee Camp in Malawi. These individuals currently face significant barriers and lack opportunities due to their stateless status.

The stateless youth population in Dzaleka Camp is severely underserved. As refugees or asylum seekers without citizenship in any country, they are unable to access formal education or job opportunities that could help them build self-sufficient lives. Many feel hopeless about their future prospects.

Our AI and technology training program will meaningfully improve the lives of these stateless youth in several key ways:

·       It will equip them with in-demand technical skills that are scarce in the camp but in high demand globally. This empowers them with a marketable skillset to access new opportunities.

·       The skills training provides an alternative educational pathway for refugee youth who are currently unable to access higher education.

·       Upon completion, the youth will have the ability to directly apply their new skills to drive positive change through AI solutions that tackle pressing issues in the camp. This gives them fulfilling work that improves living conditions.

The program also opens doors for the youth to access remote work and job opportunities outside the camp through online working platforms that will help them achieve self-reliance and independence.

takenoLAB is uniquely positioned as a refugee-led organization to deliver this solution. Our founder and majority of the team are current and former refugees who resided in Dzaleka Camp for over 10 years. This lived experience gives us invaluable, first-hand understanding of the daily challenges faced by stateless individuals in the camp.

As refugees ourselves who have navigated the lack of opportunities and barriers to self-sufficiency, we are acutely aware of how critical skills training and access to online work can be. Over the past several years, takenoLAB has been piloting  Digital skills and technology programs within Dzaleka Camp to test their impact. This on-the-ground experience has provided important lessons that have informed the design of our proposed training program.

Our proximity and continued presence in the camp also means we have strong relationships and trust among the refugee community in Dzaleka. Community members see us as partners rather than outsiders. This ensures our solution is guided by the priorities and ideas of the people it aims to serve.

As a refugee-led social enterprise, takenoLAB's mission is directly connected to empowering displaced communities through technology. We have a long-term commitment to supporting refugees in achieving self-reliance and improving living conditions. Our lived experience and deep community ties uniquely position us to effectively deliver this impactful solution.

TakenoLAB has been offering digital skills training programs for over 7 years in partnership with different local and international organizations like Southern New Hampshire University, The Government of Malawi through  World Bank support. Through these initiatives, takenoLAB has provided training to more than 3000 refugee youth since its creation.

As a direct result of the training received, over 200 refugees were able to obtain online jobs and more than 300 youth chose to pursue further ICT education.

TakenoLAB has also established community partnerships within Dzaleka Camp and a track record of implementing effective training programs at scale. Ongoing engagement with past beneficiaries also provides an opportunity for feedback to iteratively improve the solution.

Given these accomplishments piloting comparable programs, partnerships, and ability to serve hundreds of refugee youth beneficiaries directly - the solution stage is more accurately described as a Pilot

We are applying to Solve because their network and resources can help us overcome several barriers currently limiting the impact and scalability of our work.

As a small nonprofit operating in a refugee camp setting, financial and technical constraints have restricted our ability to fully develop and test our AI skills training model. Connecting with Solve partners would help us secure funding to cover costs of equipment, internet access, and training materials needed to run an expanded pilot program.

Partnerships through Solve could also help address cultural and market barriers. While our local training has shown promise, placing graduates in jobs requires networking beyond the camp. Solve's global network would open doors to employers and help graduates access opportunities regardless of legal status - a key goal.

Additionally, the technical expertise of Solve partners could strengthen our curriculum and pedagogical approach. Their guidance integrating soft skills and job readiness would enhance graduates' employability. Partners may also advise on collecting and analyzing impact data to demonstrate the program's effectiveness.

Finally, Solve's promotional support could raise our solution's profile among other organizations working with displaced communities. Increased visibility may inspire replication of our model to empower youth worldwide facing similar constraints.

We believe our customized and experience-based approach has potential for significant positive impacts - from empowering individuals and communities, to influencing policies that currently restrict opportunities for refugees and stateless populations everywhere.

• Targeted focus on stateless individuals - Most education/training programs in refugee camps exclude stateless persons due to lack of documents. Ours is designed specifically for this marginalized group to unlock their potential.

• Digital skills for displaced communities - While some camps offer basic education, ours equips refugees/stateless youth with highly valuable and marketable STEM skills like AI/coding not commonly accessible.

• Job placement beyond borders - Through Solve's global network, we aim to connect graduates to remote work opportunities regardless of legal status - a novel approach addressing barriers faced in local job markets.

• Community-driven AI projects - Training participants to develop their own AI/tech solutions to priority camp issues like healthcare, education etc. directly improves lives while gaining experience.

• Scalable model - With strong outcomes, our curriculum and focus on stateless individuals could inspire similar skills initiatives worldwide, empowering displaced youth on a much larger scale.

• Changing perceptions - Demonstrating stateless persons' potential through their AI work will challenge assumptions and push for greater inclusion of marginalized groups in education/jobs globally.

Research shows that digital skills training increases refugees' employability. Our past programs resulted in 80% of graduates finding work and persue technology related field of studies and advocacies. Solve will connect us to their global networks of remote opportunities. Through Solve's promotion, our model could inspire similar initiatives empowering stateless youth in other displacement contexts. Overall, by addressing root lack of opportunities, we believe our training can significantly impact this problem.

Activities:

• Provide 9 months AI/tech training to 30 stateless youth
• Mentor participants to develop AI solutions for camp issues
• Connect graduates to remote job opportunities via Solve partners

Outputs:

• 30 youth gain certificates in AI skills like coding, data analysis
• 3 AI projects created to address camp problems like healthcare access

Outcomes: Short term:

• Graduates experience increased self-confidence, hope for future
• AI projects pilot test solutions, directly improving lives

Intermediate:

• 50% of graduates find remote work in AI fields within 12 months
• AI solutions scale up to benefit more camp residents

Long term:

• Perceptions of stateless individuals change as they succeed
• Increased opportunities and inclusion of stateless youth globally

Our goal is to empower stateless youth and demonstrate how targeted skills training can transform lives despite barriers. By directly improving conditions in Dzaleka through community-driven AI, and inspiring similar programs globally, we believe our work will have a lasting impact on opportunities for displaced populations everywhere.

• Empower 30 stateless youth in Dzaleka Camp by 2025 and empower youth completing training skills and gaining certification in AI skills

• Increase remote job opportunities for graduates by 80% annually and help graduates obtaining remote work and average starting salary 

• Develop 3 AI-driven solutions to improve camp lives by 2025 which will benefit camp residents directly 

• Inspire replication of our model in 5 other camps by 2026 by witnessing new initiatives launched adopting our approach to impower more displaced youth globally

The core technology powering our AI skills training solution is artificial intelligence and machine learning.

We believe AI has immense potential to tackle challenges facing underserved communities when developed and applied appropriately. Our curriculum teaches stateless youth practical skills like:

• Computer programming languages (Python): To develop the logic and structure for AI applications.
• Machine learning algorithms: Supervised and unsupervised techniques like regression, classification, clustering - the building blocks of AI systems.
• Data analytics using tools like Tableau, PowerBI: To collect, analyze and visualize data that can inform AI model building and community problem-solving.
• Natural language processing: For any projects involving text/language data like translation, sentiment analysis etc.

Through hands-on projects, participants apply these AI skills by developing their own solutions to priority issues in Dzaleka Camp. For example, one team created an AI-powered tool to optimize healthcare resource allocation based on disease prevalence forecasts.

By equipping marginalized youth with expertise in this cutting-edge yet accessible field, we believe AI can become a driver of positive change, empowerment and opportunity - even in under-resourced refugee settings. Our model shows how technology, when developed and applied for social good, has life-transforming potential.

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takenoLAB is deeply committed to diversity, equity and inclusion. As an organization serving stateless refugees, these principles are at the core of our work and culture.

Our team reflects the diversity of communities we support. All staff have either living in Dzaleka Camp themselves or former refugees or have passion in helping refugees and stateless communities. Several team members also identify as LGBTQ+, female, or having a disability - groups often facing additional barriers.

We strive for equitable opportunities and make accommodations when needed. 

To foster inclusion, we emphasize respect and empowerment for all identities. Our safe space policy prohibits discrimination of any kind. Staff regularly participate in implicit bias training to serve participants sensitively.

Moving forward, we aim to have at least 50% of leadership identifying as female, LGBTQ+ or disabled by 2026 to better represent communities impacted. We also plan to conduct organizational culture assessments with participants to ensure their diverse needs and perspectives continuously shape our approach.

Overall, takenoLAB believes the diversity of refugee experiences makes us stronger. Our commitment to equity and inclusion is a key driver in empowering marginalized stateless youth through skills training and community solutions.

takenoLAB operates as a social enterprise and nonprofit organization with the following business model:

Customers/Beneficiaries:

• Stateless and marginalized youth in Dzaleka Refugee Camp
• Employers seeking digital talent globally through internet

Value Proposition:

• 9-month intensive AI/tech skills training program
• Certification in marketable skills include coding, data analytics, and Machine Learning
• Community-driven AI projects addressing priority issues

Revenue Streams:

• Grants and donations cover direct training costs
• Graduate sponsorship program for continued funding

Key Resources:

• Volunteer instructors and mentors
• Online learning platform and digital lab
• Partnerships for job placement, project implementation

Channels:

• Onsite operations in Dzaleka Camp
• Global outreach through Solve network and Digital platforms

Customers want/need these services to gain life-changing skills and opportunities otherwise unavailable due to their stateless status and camp constraints. Our social mission is to empower through education while also demonstrating participants' potential to benefit employers and society.

Our plan aims to diversify revenue over time from grants to earned income streams like sponsorships, solution implementation and online services. Cost efficiencies also help maximize funding impact this include the use of volunteers to deriver trainers. 

While still in process, we have shown promise raising funds and achieving outcomes that convince supporters of our potential for sustainability. We own learning center and computer lab which is an important physical asset that reduce costs. This infrastructure makes takenoLAB more financially established to sustainably empower refugees for years to come. 

Partnerships through Solve could accelerate progress towards financial independence to empower many more youth across africa.

Current Revenue Streams

• Grants and donations cover direct training costs

Assets

• Fully equipped computer lab used for skills training programs and online courses
• Owned learning center facilities reduce rental expenses

Future Revenue Streams

• Graduate sponsorship program
• Earned income from AI solution implementations
• Consulting services and technical assistance
• Online course marketplace

Cost Savings

• Volunteer instructors and mentors
• Cloud-based platforms for some programs